LARK
HARBOUR, NL, July 21,
2024 /CNW/ - Small craft harbours are the heart of
many coastal communities, bringing people together in work and
play, while supporting jobs in the fish and seafood industry for
over 45,000 Canadians. As part of Budget 2024, $463.3 million over three years will be
invested for the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours,
including those damaged by Hurricane Fiona, starting in 2024-25.
This is on top of the Department's annual budget of $90 million for these harbours.
As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to growing the economy to
help everyone get ahead, today the Honourable Gudie Hutchings,
Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for
the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the
Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and
the Canadian Coast Guard, announced an investment of more than
$101 million investment over three
years to continue important work at 26 harbours in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This investment will be used to reconstruct and repair wharfs,
launchways and other critical harbour infrastructure. More than
$53 million of this overall
investment in Newfoundland and
Labrador will also be used to
reconstruct and repair piers, breakwater and other critical harbour
infrastructure at 10 harbours that sustained serious damage from
Hurricane Fiona. Lark Harbour is
one such harbour that will be receiving a new wharf and building,
in addition to dredging.
The fishing industry is central to many coastal communities
across Canada, and harvesters need
small craft harbours to be safe and reliable. With climate change
causing more extreme weather events, it is critical to invest in
infrastructure that is more resilient, and above all else, safe for
harbour users. These investments support local economic development
for generations to come, providing functional harbours for
Canadians working in the fisheries, aquaculture, construction, and
marine engineering sectors.
Ministers Hutchings and Lebouthillier also announced today the
awarding of a $13.2 million contract
to upgrade the Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Station in
Lark Harbour. Constructed in 2004,
the station provides a vital service to the Western Newfoundland region. As the Canadian
Coast Guard welcomes larger, more capable lifeboats into its fleet
of the future, this contract will provide essential upgrades
including a new pier wharf for docking and enhanced vessel
protection; two floating docks to accommodate new larger lifeboats;
and, upgraded fuel storage, power, and lighting.
Quotes
"Harbours are the backbone of our vibrant fishing communities
from coast to coast to coast, including here in Newfoundland and Labrador. As the nation with the longest
coastline in the world, we must invest in resilient harbour
infrastructure capable of facing the climate challenges of today
and tomorrow. This is important to supporting strong rural
economies, food security and marine safety. With Budget 2024, we're
giving ourselves the means to achieve our ambitions, by equipping
our harvesters with modern and safe harbours where their children,
grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry on our finest
maritime traditions."
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries,
Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
"Lark Harbour is a fishing
community, and the wharf is its heart. This investment will make
sure fishers have a safe, reliable place to land their catch for
generations to come."
The Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic
Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency
"Small craft harbours are the heart of our fishing industry and
communities in Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
and our province. This investment will not only renew and maintain
the infrastructure that is essential to the region, but also
stimulate job opportunities that will benefit harvesters and
support our local communities for years to come."
Churence Rogers, Member of
Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
"The investment in SCH is an investment in the future of our
communities. When we support fisheries Infastructure we are
supporting jobs and a stronger fishing sector for families and
communities"
Yvonne Jones, Member of
Parliament for Labrador
Quick Facts
- Small craft harbours provide critical support to the commercial
fishing industry, which had landings valued at almost $4.7 billion in 2022.
- Small craft harbours support more than 45,000 jobs within the
Canadian commercial fishing industry, as well as many thousands of
additional jobs in supporting industries.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for keeping
949 harbours critical to the commercial fishing industry open and
in good repair.
- Harbour restoration projects are undertaken in cooperation with
the local harbour authorities, which are incorporated,
not-for-profit organizations that manage and operate facilities for
local users. There are more than 5,000 volunteers in harbour
authorities across Canada.
Associated Links
- Backgrounder: Newfoundland and
Labrador small craft harbours,
Budget 2024
- Budget 2024: Fairness for Every Generation
- Small Craft Harbours Program
SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada