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Archived – James Bezan Announces Federal Funding for Fishing Harbours at Arnes and Matheson Island
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August 11, 2008
ARNES, MB – James Bezan, Member of Parliament for Selkirk–Interlake, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will invest in the repair of the commercial fishing harbours located at Arnes and Matheson Island, Manitoba.
“Harbours are key to the economic viability of Canadian fishing communities,” said Mr. Bezan. “This new funding will go a long way in ensuring that the harbours will serve the commercial fish harvesters and related communities’ needs for a long time to come.”
The Matheson Island project, which is currently being engineered, involves the repair of the rubble mound breakwater. It will be tendered in the fall by Public Works and Government Services Canada, with the work to be completed prior to the end of March 2009.
The project at Arnes consists of converting the badly deteriorated and unsafe timber crib wharf into a rubble mound breakwater. This project is currently being designed by Public Works and Government Services Canada, and will also be tendered in the fall for completion prior to the end of March 2009.
These projects are being undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Small Craft Harbours Program, in close collaboration with the Matheson Island and Drunken River Harbour Authorities that manage and operate the facilities for commercial fish harvesters and local users. Such close co-operation with clients allows the federal government to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada, in support of commercial fish harvesters.
The Government of Canada understands the importance of small craft harbours to communities across the country. Since February 2006, the permanent annual funding for the Small Craft Harbours Program has been increased by $20 million, with a further $10 million commitment made in Budget 2008 over two years for repairs and environmental cleanup at recreational and non-core fishing harbours to permit the transfer of these harbours to interested parties.- 30 -
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Carol Bond
Communications Officer
Central and Arctic Region
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
519-383-1804
NR-HQ-08-44E
