NORTH BAY, ON, July 25, 2019 /CNW/ - Communities across Canada are supported by small craft harbours that provide the commercial fishing industry with safe and accessible facilities. With approximately 45,000 Canadians employed in this sector, the Government of Canada is making investments to renew its network of small craft harbours and work with municipalities and other stakeholders where investments and divestitures can support local communities.
Member of Parliament for Nipissing-Timiskaming, Anthony Rota, on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced that the Government of Canada is investing in improvements to the Wade's Landing harbour on the south side of Lake Nipissing. Once this project is complete, the harbour will be transferred to the Township of Nipissing.
The project, led by Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours program, replaces the existing timber wharf structure at Wade's Landing with a new timber approach crib, gangway and two floating docks. The project valued at $99,000 was awarded to Canadyne Navigation. Work started in January 2019 and is nearing completion.
The Small Craft Harbours program keeps harbours critical to the commercial fishing industry open and in good repair for fish harvesters to use. The program also seeks to transfer ownership of recreational, low activity or worn out fishing harbours across Canada to interested third parties who are in the best position to operate them effectively and respond to the needs of the local residents and economy.
Quotes
"Transferring ownership of Wade's Landing harbour to the Township of Nipissing means the harbour will be managed by, and for, the people of this community. I'm confident the future development of this important public asset will benefit locals and tourists alike."
Anthony Rota, Member of Parliament for Nipissing — Timiskaming
"Wade's Landing harbour is used primarily by recreational boaters and cottagers. The Township of Nipissing has agreed to assume ownership of the facility once the work is complete. This harbour is an important community asset used by recreational boaters and we are very happy that those who take pride in using it will continue to enjoy it for many years to come."
Tom Piper, Mayor of the Township of Nipissing
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 needed to support commercial fishing harbours across Canada.
- Small craft harbours provide critical support to the commercial fishing industry, which had landings valued at almost $3.9 billion in 2017.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada supports more than 1000 harbours across Canada with more than 5000 volunteers from harbour authorities.
- Harbour restoration projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users.
Associated Links
For more information on Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/sch-ppb/home-accueil-eng.htm
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans Central & Arctic Region
Jocelyn Lubczuk. Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, 343-548-7863, [email protected]; Media Relations, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Central and Arctic Region, 204-984-4715, [email protected]
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