The Government of Canada Invests in Recreational and Commercial Fishing Harbours across Ontario

BAYFIELD, ON, May 21, 2019 /CNW/ - Communities across Canada are supported by small craft harbours that provide the commercial fishing industry with safe and accessible facilities. The communities of Bayfield, Lion's Head, Port Elgin, Dyer's Bay, Howdenvale, Meaford, Big Bay (North Keppel), White Cloud Island, Pembroke, and Silver Water in Ontario are welcoming important federal investments that will benefit their local harbour infrastructure.

With approximately 45,000 Canadians employed in this sector, the Government of Canada is making investments to renew its network of small craft harbours.We are doing so in partnership with municipalities and other key stakeholders where investments and divestitures will bolster rural economic growth for fishing and tourism hubs like these communities.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Sean Casey, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $8.3 million in harbour infrastructure in Ontario, including $875,000 in Bayfield, in the Municipality of Bluewater, Ontario.

As part of the $250 million investment in its network of small craft harbours across the country under Budget 2018, Fisheries and Oceans Canada undertook work to replace the South Pier Deck at Bayfield Harbour.  CSL Construction completed the work in March 2019.

DFO also invested in the rehabilitation of the breakwater that was damaged due to a storm event in 2017 at its Small Craft Harbour facility in Meaford, ON.  A contract valued at $519,000 was awarded to Bronte Construction and the work was completed at the end of March 2019.

In Lion's Head, ON in the municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, a similar breakwater reconstruction project valued at $498,000 was completed by Bridge Excavating Ltd in April 2019. In Big Bay, (North Keppel) ON, in the Township of Georgian Bluffs, a $270,000 wharf reconstruction project was completed by East Elgin Concrete Forming Limited in March 2019, while a $90,000 rehabilitation of a wharf in Silver Water, Ontario on Manitoulin Island was completed by J.I. Enterprises, also in March 2019.  

Projects in Port Elgin in the Town of Saugeen Shores, Dyer's Bay in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, White Cloud Island in the Township of Georgian Bluffs, Howdenvale in the Municipality of South Bruce Peninsula and Pembroke are all in the preliminary design phase, with contracts going to tender shortly.  Construction at White Cloud Island is anticipated to begin this summer, with work beginning at the remaining four locations anticipated to begin in the fall of 2019.

Quotes

 "We have listened to the people of Bayfield and the other communities across Ontario where we are investing in their harbours to help local commercial fishing, recreation and tourism industries to support rural economic growth. We are investing in people, promoting growth and building stronger and safer communities. The work carried out will not only renew and maintain the infrastructure that is essential to the region, but also stimulate job opportunities and development that will benefit fishers, residents and visitors alike, all in support our local communities."

Sean Casey, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and Member of Parliament for Charlottetown

"Investments that support economic growth in rural communities are a priority for our Government. When we invest in infrastructure to support rural fishing and tourism communities, Canadians and our economy benefit. Small Craft Harbour investments demonstrate the federal government's commitment to local economies. We are proud of our investments to support the recreational and commercial fishing?a key economic sector that helps support communities across the country.

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Quick Facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $250 million over two years to renew its network of small craft harbours and work with municipalities and other stakeholders to enhance local communities, economies and foster job creation.
• This is in addition to $92 million that will be invested in 2019-20 for repairs, maintenance, construction, and dredging at core commercial fishing harbours across Canada.
• The mandate of the Small Craft Harbours Program is to keep harbours critical to the commercial fishing industry open and in good repair.

Associated Links

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Central & Arctic Region