Divestiture

The Divestiture Program strives to transfer ownership of designated harbours to a third party. Divestiture of recreational harbours and low-activity or derelict harbours allows SCH to focus its efforts and investments on core harbours that are critical to the fishing industry.

SCH will first provide the necessary harbour repairs and environmental clean-up. It does this by either undertaking this work prior to transfer or by providing a comparable grant to the recipient.

Harbours are offered in order of priority:

1. For a nominal fee to:
   • Other federal departments
   • Provinces
   • Municipalities
   • Local non-profit associations or First Nations
2. Through a tendering process to the private sector.

Municipalities have generally shown most interest in assuming responsibility for harbour facilities. They are often in the best position to make decisions about which services are most appropriate. When ownership of a harbour is transferred, the recipient must pay a nominal fee and maintain public access to the harbour and to its services for a minimum of 5 years.

Transfer or demolition only occurs after the communities concerned have been consulted and only when an agreement has been reached. Harbour structures are demolished only if there is no local interest in them.

To date, 698 recreational harbours and 389 fishing harbours have been divested. An additional 146 recreational disposals are in progress. For more details on this aspect of the SCH Program, please consult the Divestiture Report.