Rivière-au-Renard, Quebec - 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, $50.2 million 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.
