Minister Lebouthillier announces Government of Canada action to improve safety and drive economic growth with repairs to the Grande-Entrée harbour in the Magdalen Islands

From: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News release

February 27, 2025

Magdalen Islands, Quebec - Small craft harbours are at the heart of many coastal communities. They bring people together for work and recreation, while providing safe and accessible facilities for the fish and seafood industry, which employs approximately 45,000 Canadians.

As part of the Government of Canada's commitment to growing the economy by supporting safe and effective harbours for fish harvesters who make their living on the water, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, today, announced an investment of $1.15 million for the Grande- Entrée harbour. This investment will be used to rebuild the western end of the Magdalen Islands’ harbour, which was damaged in 2022 by Hurricane Fiona. The work, underway since early January by Constructions des Îles inc., will be completed in March 2025.

In addition, a $942,000 contract has just been awarded to Sani-Sable L.B. inc. of Maria, Gaspé Peninsula region, for the acquisition of materials required to temporarily install a new line of floating pontoons to accommodate a dozen fishing boats. A call for tenders is also underway to dredge the basin, stabilize the wharf with riprap, and set up this new line of pontoons in time for the next fishing season.

Investments like these underscore Canada’s commitment to strengthen coastal communities, promote sustainable growth, and ensure the prosperity of the fishing industry’s workforce.

Quotes

" For me, it was crucial to act quickly to provide the fish harvesters of Grande-Entrée with safe harbour infrastructure, especially after the heavy damage caused by Hurricane Fiona and the wharf fire last summer. The investments announced today will enable fishing activities to resume at the Grande-Entrée harbour as early as this spring."  

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Quick facts

  • In 2024, Fisheries and Oceans Canada spent $775,000 on riprap and stabilization work at the Grande-Entrée wharf following damage caused by Hurricane Fiona.

  • The mandate of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Small Craft Harbours Program is to keep harbours vital to the commercial fishery open and in good repair.

  • The Government of Canada is funding repairs or dredging work at several harbours across the country to ensure they are in good condition to meet the needs of fish harvesters and industry, as well as provide safe access to waterways.

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
Quebec Region
418-648-5474
media.qc@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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