An investment of $590,000 to support improvement projects at three small craft harbours in British Columbia has been announced by John Duncan, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Island North, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
This investment will support three major projects:
reconstruction of the wharf substructure at Port Hardy;
repairs to a number of timber floats at Sointula; and
repairs to timber floats and the electrical system at Zeballos.
"This Government understands that by investing in infrastructure at our small craft harbours we are also creating employment opportunities that benefit local communities and ensuring the livelihood of our fishing industry. The funding announced today will maintain a network of safe and efficient harbours across Canada and contribute to continued economic growth and prosperity for Canadians," said Honourable Gail Shea, Canadian Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
Small craft harbours support nearly 90% of all commercial fish landings in Canada. In 2012, the landed value of British Columbia's commercial fisheries was over $213 million.
Other projects in British Columbia will be announced at a later date.
The investment forms part of the Government of Canada's total investment of approximately $106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects across Canada. This includes $66 million in regular, annual funding and an additional $40 million over two years, as announced in the Economic Action Plan 2014.