NR-HQ-01-48E

Thibault announces federal investment of $4.1 Million for projects at Small Craft Harbours in Nova Scotia

May 24, 2001

YARMOUTH – The Honourable Robert Thibault, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Member of Parliament for the constituency of West Nova, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Herb Dhaliwal, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the Government of Canada will invest $4.1 million in harbour improvements at several Nova Scotia fishing harbours.

"I am proud to announce this $4.1 million investment into West Nova harbours," said Minister Thibault. "Harbours are key to the economic viability of Canadian fishing communities. This new funding will go a long way in ensuring that the harbours will serve the community’s needs for many years to come."

At Yarmouth Bar, a 500-metre long rubblemound breakwater/berm will be constructed to replace the existing dilapidated wavebreaks. In addition to providing needed protection to the vessels, the breakwater will reduce infilling, thereby eliminating the requirement for ongoing maintenance dredging. This two-year project is scheduled to commence in the summer of 2001 and should be completed by spring 2003.

The wharf at Camp Cove will be extended by approximately 48 metres. This will greatly improve the wave climate in the south basin and also increase the berthing capacity. The work is expected to start in the summer with completion planned for the spring of 2002.

Dredging will be undertaken at Meteghan. Users of this harbour will benefit from improved conditions for their operations. Another dredging project is planned at Saulnierville in order that harbour users can safely berth their vessels. This project is part of a larger harbour rationalization initiative.

The east wharf reconstruction and breakwater extension projects that began last year at Parkers Cove are well in progress. The wharf reconstruction has recently been completed and only the east end of the breakwater remains to be completed in the upcoming months. These much needed harbour facilities will offer fishers improved operating conditions.

These projects will be carried out by the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans as part of its Small Craft Harbours program, in cooperation with the harbour authorities, which manage and operate the facilities for local users. Such close cooperation with clients allows the federal government to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fishers.