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June 05, 2009
New Small Craft Harbours Projects in British Columbia will Strengthen the Local Economy and Create Jobs
VANCOUVER, B.C. – Local workers and businesses throughout British Columbia will benefit from a major new investment in small craft harbours, the Honourable James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, announced today, on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “The commercial fishery is very important to the people of British Columbia and the Government of Canada recognizes the province’s need for a well-functioning network of small craft harbours,” said Minister Moore. “Our government is ensuring that much-needed work is carried out at core fishing harbours, to provide economic benefits to communities throughout British Columbia for years to come.” Funding for the Small Craft Harbours Program is one of many job-creating investments contained in Canada’s Economic Action Plan. Through this plan, communities throughout Canada will receive $200 million over two years to accelerate harbour repair and maintenance as well as undertake dredging projects. This new investment is in addition to already budgeted funding of approximately $80 million for the Small Craft Harbours Program for this year. $22.7 million is being provided under Canada’s Economic Action Plan for projects at core commercial fishing harbours in British Columbia over the next two years. This is in addition to $6.3 million in regular program funding this year for the province. These projects are being undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the harbour authorities that manage and operate the facilities for local users. This close co-operation with clients allows the federal government to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada, in support of commercial fish harvesters, aquaculturists and coastal communities. Details can be found in the backgrounder: For more information on the Small Craft Harbours Program, visit http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch-ppb/home-accueil-eng.htm. To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit http://www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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