NR-HQ-00-69E

HUBBARD ANNOUNCES FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $475,000 FOR HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS AT FIVE FISHING  HARBOURS IN NEW BRUNSWICK

August 4, 2000

MIRAMICHI -- Charles Hubbard, Member of Parliament for the constituency of Miramichi, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the Government of Canada will invest $475,000 in projects at the fishing harbours of Bay du Vin, Cap-de-Saint-Louis, Loggiecroft, Loggieville and Neguac in New Brunswick.

"These projects underline the federal government’s determination to maintain viable and safe harbours in support of New Brunswick’s fishing community," said Mr. Hubbard. "These harbours are important to the local communities which will now benefit from improved harbour facilities."

Maintenance dredging will be undertaken at Loggiecroft to ensure safe navigating conditions for harbour users. This is in addition to urgent maintenance dredging recently completed at Bay du Vin.

At Cap-de-Saint-Louis and Loggiecroft minor wharf repairs will be carried out to ensure efficient operations at the harbour.

A small marginal wharf will be constructed at Neguac. This will allow for safer offloading of catches.

At Loggieville, departmental officials are negotiating details of a harbour development project with the community. "I am very supportive of this project and will be following the negotiations closely," said Mr. Hubbard.

The projects are being undertaken by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the Harbour Authorities which manage and operate these facilities for the benefit of local users. It is this close cooperation with clients that enables the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fisheries.