Small watercraft harbours in Canada help support jobs in the fish and seafood industry for over 45,000 people across the country, and the federal government has allotted a significant investment in many of these harbours.
As part of the Canadian government’s Budget 2024, $463.3 million in additional funds will be invested into the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours—this is on top of the $90 million that is already invested annually.
For BC’s small craft harbours along the coastline and on Vancouver Island, $32 million will be made available for repair and maintenance.
“Small craft harbours are the backbone of our vibrant fishing communities from coast to coast to coast, including here in British Columbia,” said Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
“As the nation with the longest coastline in the world, we must invest in resilient harbour infrastructure capable of facing the climate challenges of today and tomorrow.”
Specifically, the funds will go to eighteen pacific region harbours, including nine on Vancouver Island, four in the Lower Mainland, two on the Sunshine Coast, two in the Gulf Islands and one on the North Coast.
“This is not only a question of economic development, but also of food security,” continued Lebouthillier.
“With Budget 2024, we’re giving ourselves the means to achieve our ambitions, by equipping our harvesters with modern harbours where their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will carry on our finest maritime traditions.”
The Canadian government says work on these projects is slated to begin this fall.
