$ for small craft harbours
Small craft harbours are the heart of many coastal communities, bringing people together in work and play, while supporting jobs in the fish and seafood industry for over 45,000 Canadians.
As part of Budget 2024, $463.3 million over three years will be invested for the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours, starting in 2024-25. This is on top of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s annual budget of $90 million for these harbours.
As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to growing the economy to help everyone get ahead, today, Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie announced an investment of $578,000 in two local harbours in the Algoma District.
$253,941 will go to the Mamainse Harbour Authority for repairs of the port in Batchawana, to be led by Bronte Construction, and a further $323,961 will go to the Township of Prince for rehabilitating the launch ramp at Gros Cap, to be led by Dominion Construction.
These investments support local economic development for generations to come, providing functional harbours for Canadians working in the fisheries, aquaculture, construction, and marine engineering sectors.
QUOTES
“Harbours like these provide jobs and recreation for countless people, and a strong fishing industry means a strong. Investment in these harbours is an investment in the whole community. As the nation with the longest coastline in the world, we must invest in resilient harbour infrastructure capable of facing the climate challenges of today and tomorrow.”
-Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and FedNor
“We are grateful for this investment in our local marina, which plays a key role in our township’s outdoor lifestyle. These upgrades reflect a commitment to maintaining and enhancing public spaces that contribute to both recreation and local revenue.”
-Melanie Mageran, Mayor of Prince Township
QUICK FACTS
- Small craft harbours provide critical support to the commercial fishing industry, which had landings valued at almost $4.7 billion in 2022.
- Small craft harbours support more than 45,000 jobs within the Canadian commercial fishing industry, as well as many thousands of additional jobs in supporting industries
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for keeping 949 harbours critical to the commercial fishing industry open and in good repair.
- Harbour restoration projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbour authorities, which are incorporated, not-for-profit organizations that manage and operate facilities for local users. There are more than 5,000 volunteers in harbour authorities across Canada.
- Small Craft Harbours Program