As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to growing the economy by supporting safe and effective harbors for fish harvesters who make their living on the water, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, announced an investment of $1.15 million for the Grande- Entrée harbor. This investment will be used to rebuild the western end of the Magdalen Islands’ harbor, which was damaged in 2022 by Hurricane Fiona. The work, underway since early January by Constructions des Îles Inc., will be completed in March 2025.

In addition, a $942,000 contract has just been awarded to Sani-Sable L.B. Inc. of Maria, Gaspé Peninsula region, for the acquisition of materials required to install a new line of floating pontoons temporarily to accommodate a dozen fishing boats. A call for tenders is also underway to dredge the basin, stabilize the wharf with riprap, and set up this new line of pontoons in time for the next fishing season.

Investments like these underscore Canada’s commitment to strengthening coastal communities, promoting sustainable growth, and ensuring the prosperity of the fishing industry’s workforce.

“For me, it was crucial to act quickly to provide the fish harvesters of Grande-Entrée with safe harbor infrastructure, especially after the heavy damage caused by Hurricane Fiona and the wharf fire last summer. The investments announced today will enable fishing activities to resume at the Grande-Entrée harbor as early as this spring,” said the Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Quick Facts

• In 2024, Fisheries and Oceans Canada spent $775,000 on riprap and stabilization work at the Grande-Entrée wharf following damage caused by Hurricane Fiona.
• The mandate of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbors Program is to keep harbors vital to the commercial fishery open and in good repair.
• The Government of Canada is funding repairs or dredging work at several harbors across the country to ensure they are in good condition to meet the needs of fish harvesters and industry, as well as provide safe access to waterways.