NR-HQ-00-54E

DHALIWAL ANNOUNCES AN INVESTMENT OF $5.26 MILLION FOR HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS AND DREDGING  IN THE GASPÉ PENINSULA, QUÉBEC

July 18, 2000

OTTAWA – The Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the federal government will invest $5.26 million in harbour improvements and maintenance dredging at several fishing harbours in the Gaspé Peninsula, Québec.

"These projects are important for these communities and will be of direct benefit to fishers by giving them access to safer and more efficient harbours," said Minister Dhaliwal. "These investments underline the federal government’s commitment to maintain viable and safe harbours in support of coastal communities in the Gaspé Peninsula."

For Minister Dhaliwal, today’s announcement is another example of the fact that the federal government is genuinely attentive to the needs of the Gaspé Peninsula population. He made a point of thanking his Cabinet colleagues from Quebec in particular the Honourable Alfonso Gagliano and the Honourable Martin Cauchon, for their support for the projects announced today.

The main wharf at Rivière-au-Renard will be repaired. The project will be spread over two fiscal years and involves completely rebuilding the south section of the main wharf over a length of approximately 110 metres in order to restore it to adequate safety standards. This wharf is essential for the basin protection it provides to the midshore fishers. The work will start during the fall of 2000.

Pre-engineering studies within the context of Rivière-au-Renard harbour improvements will also continue. These studies, begun in 1999 in close consultation with local stakeholders, will determine the best configuration for this harbour in order to maximize its use by the various clients, namely midshore fishers, coastal fishers and recreational boaters.

At Paspébiac, a section of the marginal wharf, which had to be barricaded this summer because of its advanced state of deterioration, will be rebuilt. The partial rebuilding of the wharf will provide users with a safe and functional facility for landing their catches. Work is slated to begin in the fall of 2000.

Maintenance dredging will be carried out at the fishing harbours of St-Godefroi, Port-Daniel (East), Anse-à-Beaufils, Ste-Thérèse de Gaspé, and Gascons (Chapados). The work is being done to provide sufficient water depth in the basins and channels to ensure safe navigation conditions for fishers.

Projects are being undertaken under the Small Craft Harbours Program of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, in close collaboration with the Harbour Authorities who manage and operate the facilities for the benefit of local users. It is this partnership and co-operation that enables the federal government to continue to provide a safe and operational system of essential harbour facilities throughout Canada in support of coastal communities and commercial fishers.