Glace Bay, Nova Scotia - Small craft harbours play a vital role in our community, bringing people together in work and play, while supporting jobs in the fish and seafood industry for over 45,000 Canadians. In addition to Fisheries and Oceans Canada's annual budget of $90 million to upgrade small craft harbours, Budget 2024 announced $463.3 million over three years for the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours, including those damaged by Hurricane Fiona, starting in 2024-25.
As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to growing the economy to help everyone get ahead, today Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard on behalf of the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced a $34.1M investment to upgrade, reconstruct, and repair wharfs and other critical harbour infrastructure including electrical upgrades in four Nova Scotia Harbours; Louisbourg, Glace Bay, Upper Whitehead, and Grand Étang. This work will ensure harbours remain safe and operational for local harvesters and recreational users alike.
The fishing industry is vital the economy and a significant source of employment in coastal communities across Canada, and safe, reliable small craft harbours are essential to maintaining harbour operations. Investments announced today will ensure small craft harbours remain safe for harbour users in Nova Scotia while building resiliency to climate change, which is causing more frequent and extreme weather events that can impact harbour infrastructure.
Investments announced today will help ensure functional harbours for Canadians working in the fisheries, aquaculture, construction, and marine engineering sectors, driving job creation and local economic development for years to come.
