As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to growing the economy to help everyone get ahead, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on behalf of the Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, announced an investment of more than $61 million over three years to continue important work at harbors in Prince Edward Island. Investments will be used to reconstruct and repair wharves, launchways, and other critical harbor infrastructure. This includes wharf reconstruction and new shoreline protection at Covehead Harbor.
The fishing industry is central to many coastal communities across Canada, and harvesters need small craft harbors to be safe and reliable. With climate change causing more extreme weather events, it is critical to invest in infrastructure that is more resilient and, above all else, safe for harbor users.
These investments support local economic development for generations to come, providing functional harbors for Canadians working in the fisheries, aquaculture, construction, and marine engineering sectors.
“Small craft harbors are the backbone of our vibrant fishing communities from coast to coast to coast, including here, in Prince Edward Island. As the nation with the longest coastline in the world, we must invest in resilient harbor infrastructure capable of facing the climate challenges of today and tomorrow. This is not only a question of economic development but also of food security. With Budget 2024, we’re giving ourselves the means to achieve our ambitions by equipping our harvesters with modern harbors where their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will carry on our finest maritime traditions,” commented the Honorable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Quick Facts
- Small craft harbors provide critical support to the commercial fishing industry, which had landings valued at almost $4.7 billion in 2022.
- Small craft harbors 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 the management of 949 harbors and for keeping the 691 harbors that are critical to the commercial fishing industry open and in good repair.
- Harbor restoration projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbor authorities, which are incorporated, not-for-profit organizations that manage and operate facilities for local users. There are more than 5,000 volunteers in harbor authorities across Canada.
