NR-HQ-00-94E

BOUDREAU ANNOUNCES $700,000 IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR A HARBOUR IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AT   PORT MORIEN HARBOUR IN NOVA SCOTIA

October 4, 2000

ottawa -- The Honourable Bernie Boudreau, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister responsible for Nova Scotia, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the Government of Canada will invest $700,000 in a harbour improvement project at Port Morien in Nova Scotia.

This project consists of the construction of a new concrete cope wall and wheel guard over the length of the wharf, to arrest deterioration. The concrete wharf caissons are more than fifty years old and have been slowly deteriorating over the years, leaving the structural integrity of the facility in question. The work will also involve deck repairs and installation of ladders.

"This structure is essential to the continuous safe operation of the harbour," said Senator Boudreau. "The completion of the project will be of direct benefit to fishers."

The project is scheduled to start in 2001 and is part of the $30 million funding announced in July by Minister Dhaliwal to repair structural deterioration of small craft harbours and wharves.

This project will be undertaken by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the Harbour Authority of Port Morien which manages and operates 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.