The Government of Canada invests over $61 million in Prince Edward Island small craft harbours

From: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News release

November 13, 2024

Covehead, Prince Edward Island - 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 Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, announced an investment of more than $61-million over three years to continue important work at harbours in Prince Edward Island. Investments will be used to reconstruct and repair wharfs, launch ways and other critical harbour infrastructure. This includes wharf reconstruction and new shoreline protection at Covehead Harbour.

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.

Quotes

“Small craft harbours are the backbone of our vibrant fishing communities from coast to coast to coast, including here, in Prince Edward Island. 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 not only a question of economic development, but also of food security. With Budget 2024, we’re giving ourselves the means to achieve our ambitions, by equipping our harvesters with modern 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

"Our fisheries and coastal communities are the lifeblood of Prince Edward Island and our small craft harbours are a key part of them. Today’s investment of $61M in federal funding is absolutely vital to keeping our province and the fishery strong and resilient for years to come.”

The Honourable Laurence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and Member of Parliament for Cardigan

“Small Craft Harbours are the cultural fabric of rural coastal communities and provide significant economic and employment benefits. In the face of increasingly frequent and intense extreme weather events driven by climate change, we must invest in our coastal marine infrastructure to ensure it is resilient and built to last for many years to come.”

Heath MacDonald, Member of Parliament for Malpeque

“We all know that the fishery is an extremely significant part of our Island economy. Making sure that fishermen have the best possible infrastructure to earn a living and make their great contribution to our communities, is of vital importance.”

Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont

“Fishing is a dangerous occupation. We, as a government, are committed to ensuring our fishing industry and those who participate in it can operate in the safest possible environment. These investments will help achieve that goal and ensure the long-term sustainability of an industry that is the lifeblood for many PEI families.”

Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown

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 the management of 949 harbours, and for keeping the 691 harbours that are 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

Contacts

Andrew Richardson
Acting Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
andrew.richardson@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Stay connected

Page details

Date modified: