News Release

For Immediate Release
May 13, 2002

TOURISM PROJECT TO ATTRACT MORE VISITORS TO
BAY ST. LAWRENCE

Sydney, Nova Scotia – Mark Eyking, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Victoria, today announced a project for Bay St. Lawrence under the Strategic Community Investment Fund (SCIF). SCIF projects are designed to help local communities strengthen their economic base in order to attract investment and job creation. Mr. Eyking made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation.

With $60,000 through SCIF, the North of Smokey Fisherman’s Association will oversee the upgrading of two existing floating docks and the construction of two additional docks. This work will provide adequate services for tour boat operators and recreational boaters. The project will maintain 15 jobs in the six boat tour operations and create nine short-term jobs during construction. Project costs are estimated at $130,000.

”Bay St. Lawrence is strategically located on the Cabot Trail, the number one tourist destination in Nova Scotia. Visitation to this area continues to rise and there is a strong potential for further growth,” said Mr. Eyking. “This upgrade will increase the capacity for additional tour boat start-ups and encourage more visitation by recreational boaters.”

As the sponsoring organization, the NSFA will oversee the construction of the new docks, which will benefit tourism-related activities and help the community capitalize on growth in this industry and attract new investment. The NSFA represents the interests of fishers in partnership with local Harbour Authorities in the Northern Cape Breton Highlands area of the Cabot Trail. 

“This project is correcting the situation which had fishermen and tourists using the same docks which were not constructed to accommodate tour boats loading and unloading passengers. Now we will have excellent facilities for both industries – fishing and tourism – to operate from separate areas. We appreciate the support for the development objectives this community has identified,” said Osborne Burke, North of Smokey Fisherman’s Association.

The Strategic Community Investment fund provides $135 million over five years to help communities in Atlantic Canada create an environment that encourages and enhances, among other activities, the development of strategic sectors, the adoption of new technology and innovative practices, and the capacity to compete in the global economy. 

SCIF is a component of the $700-million Atlantic Investment Partnership, a five-year Government of Canada initiative designed to help Atlantic Canadians compete in the global, knowledge-based economy. The Fund is administered by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

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For more information, contact:

Peter A.H. Graham 
Director of Communications 
Office of the Minister of State 
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(613) 957-9959

Mark Eyking
Member of Parliament
(902) 567-6275

Marcie Stanley 
Communications Officer 
Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation 
(902) 564-7876 (

Osborne Burke
North of Smokey Fishermen’s Association
902) 285-2276