Government of Canada News Release: Investment in BC’s Small Craft Harbours

The Government of Canada announced funding for small craft harbours along the BC coast as part of its commitment to growing the economy. An investment of $32 million over three years will support significant critical infrastructure improvements at 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 announcement aligns with the need for investment in harbour infrastructure identified by Destination BC in destination development strategies for North and South-Central Vancouver Island, Greater Victoria, and the Sunshine Coast.

Details from this Government of Canada news release:

Small craft harbours are the heart of many coastal communities, bringing people together in work and play while supporting jobs in the fish and seafood industry for over 45,000 Canadians. As part of Budget 2024, $463.3 million over three years will be invested for the repair and maintenance of small craft harbours. This is on top of the Department’s annual budget of $90 million for these harbours.

As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to growing the economy to help everyone get ahead, today member of Parliament, Parm Bains, on behalf of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, announced an investment of $32 million over three years for multiple projects in the Pacific Region.

These projects cover significant critical infrastructure improvements at 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. Work on these projects is anticipated to begin in fall 2024. The overall budget also includes $11.15 million to complete minor projects to support health and safety requirements at various harbours, as required.

The fishing industry is central to many coastal communities across Canada, and harvesters need small craft harbours to be safe and reliable. With climate change causing more extreme weather events, it is critical to invest in infrastructure that is more resilient, and above all else, safe for harbour users.

These investments support local economic development for generations to come, providing functional harbours for Canadians working in the fisheries, aquaculture, construction, and marine engineering sectors.

• Quick Facts
  Small craft harbours provide critical support to the commercial fishing industry, which had landings valued at almost $4.7 billion in 2022.
• Small craft harbours support more than 45,000 jobs within the Canadian commercial fishing industry, as well as many thousands of additional jobs in supporting industries
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is responsible for the management of 949 harbours, and for keeping the 691 harbours that are critical to the commercial fishing industry open and in good repair.
• Harbour restoration projects are undertaken in cooperation with the local harbour authorities, which are incorporated, not-for-profit organizations that manage and operate facilities for local users. There are more than 5,000 volunteers in harbour authorities across Canada.

Read the full news release, here: https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2024/11/the-government-of-canada-invests-in-the-small-craft-harbours-of-british-columbia.html

Media Contacts
Andrew Richardson
Acting Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
[email protected]

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
[email protected]