NR-HQ-00-70E

BRADSHAW ANNOUNCES FEDERAL INVESTMENT OF $616,000 FOR HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS AT EIGHT FISHING HARBOURS  IN NEW BRUNSWICK

August 4, 2000

MONCTON - The Honourable Claudette Bradshaw, Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for the constituency of Moncton - Riverview - Dieppe, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the Government of Canada will invest $616,000 in projects at the fishing harbours of Murray Corner (Botsford), Barre-de-Cocagne (Cormierville), St-Thomas-de-Kent, Robichaud, Cap-des-Caissie, Cap-Pelé, Shippagan, and Bas-Caraquet 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 Ms. Bradshaw. "These harbours are important to the local communities who will now benefit from improved harbour facilities."

At Murray Corner (Botsford), the project will consist of installing a new concrete deck on a section of the wharf.

Various wharf repairs will be undertaken at Barre-de-Cocagne (Cormierville), St-Thomas-de-Kent, Robichaud and Cap-des-Caissie.

Dredging will be carried out at Cap-Pelé and Barre-de-Cocagne (Cormierville) to ensure safe navigating conditions for harbour users. This is in addition to the urgent maintenance dredging that was recently undertaken at Cap-des-Caissie.

The work at Shippagan will consist of repairs to various components of the wharf including the fenders and wheelguards. In addition, the lighting and electrical systems will be repaired and improved, new ship cleats will be installed on the wharf and sections of pavement will be repaired.

The work at Bas-Caraquet consists of repairs to the wharf and providing additional protection to the service area. "I would like to commend Mr. Bernard Thériault, M.L.A. for Caraquet, for his efforts with respect to the elaboration of the projects at Bas-Caraquet and Shippagan," said Ms. Bradshaw.

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.