NR-HQ-00-77E

MCGUIRE ANNOUNCES $188,000 INVESTMENT FOR HARBOUR IMPROVEMENTS AT TWO FISHING HARBOURS IN PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

August 15, 2000

SUMMERSIDE – Joe McGuire, Member of Parliament for Egmont, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the Government of Canada will invest an additional $188,000 in projects at the fishing harbours of Seacow Pond and Northport in Prince Edward Island.

"These projects underline the federal government’s continuing commitment to maintain viable and safe harbours in support of coastal communities in Prince Edward Island," said

Mr. McGuire. "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."

At Seacow Pond, the work will consist of encasing the outer end of the north breakwater in steel sheet piling. This will serve to significantly extend the life of the facility.

At Northport, the project involves extensive repair work to a section of the wharf which is currently unused and will be part of a development project at the wharf.

These 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.