RIVIÈRE-AU-RENARD, QC,
July 16,
2024 /CNW/ - Small craft harbours are at the heart of
many coastal communities, bringing people together for work and
leisure, while supporting jobs in the fish and seafood industry for
more than 45,000 Canadians.
As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to growing the economy,
the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the
Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, was in Rivière-au-Renard,
Quebec's fisheries capital, to
announce significant investments in fishing harbours across the
Gaspé Peninsula, in Quebec.
Over the next three years, $50.2million will be invested to ensure that the
region's fish harvesters and fishing industry have access to safe
harbour infrastructure that meets their needs.
These investments will make it possible, in particular, to
repair the main breakwater at the Rivière-au-Renard wharf, which
was damaged in December 2022
following a severe winter storm. They will also make it possible to
begin the process of divesting the Sainte-Madeleine-de-la-Rivière-Madeleine
wharf. The full list of investments can be found in this
Backgrounder.
Let's remember that overall, Budget 2024 will invest
$463.3 million over three years,
starting in 2024-2025, to repair and maintain small craft harbours,
including those damaged by Hurricane Fiona. This funding is in
addition to the $90-million annual
budget that the Department has committed for these harbours.
Quote
"Small craft harbours are the backbone of our vibrant fishing
communities across the country, including here in the Gaspé
Peninsula. As a country with the longest coastline in the world, we
need to invest in resilient harbour infrastructure that can cope
with the climate challenges of today and tomorrow. It is not only a
question of economic development, but also of food security. With
Budget 2024, we are giving ourselves the means to achieve our
ambitions, by providing our fish harvesters with modern harbours,
where their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will
perpetuate our most beautiful maritime traditions. »
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries,
Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Quick Facts
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada announces an investment of
$50.2 million in fishing harbours in
the Gaspé Peninsula.
- The Government of Canada is
funding repairs or dredging works at several harbours 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.
- The mandate of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft
Harbours Program is to keep harbours vital to the commercial
fishery open and in good repair.
Associated Link
- Backgrounder
- Small craft harbours
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada