Minister Shea & MP Keddy share a smile with local harbour authority representatives. Small Craft Harbour improvements are underway at the Falls Point location as can be seen in the background.

From left to right: George Rennehan, Harbour Authority of Gunning Cove, Harry Rennehan, Harbour Authority of Gunning Cove, Lyndon Crowell, Harbour Authority of Gunning Cove, Roy Dagley, Harbour Authority of Little Harbour (Cherry Hill), Cliff Van Buskirk, Harbour Authority of Gunning Cove, Gerald Keddy, MP for South Shore - St. Margaret's, Michael Cunningham, Harbour Authority of Cripple Creek, Tim Birt, Harbour Authority of Cripple Creek, Maurice Shand, Harbour Authority of Shag Harbour. Front: Geraldine (Geri) Nickerson, Harbour Authority of Lower Woods Harbour (Falls Point) and the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries & Oceans.

Falls Point, Nova Scotia –The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, together with Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore – St. Margaret’s, today announced that fishing harbours in the area would benefit from $1.8 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s annual investment in small craft harbours across Canada.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that safe and efficient harbours are vital to the economic well-being of fishing communities in Nova Scotia and across Canada,” said Minister Shea. “By investing in small craft harbours, our government is creating local jobs right way and ensuring local fishers have harbours they can rely on for the years to come.”

This project is part of the $67 million the Small Craft Harbours Program is investing across Canada this year, of which $12 million was announced in May for harbours in Nova Scotia. The Government’s investment will revitalize small craft harbours and support the livelihood of those Canadians who depend on them. Safety and operational efficiency at harbours across the country will be improved through a variety of projects including dredging, breakwater repairs, wharf construction and planning.

“The Government understands harbours must be kept open, safe and in good repair so our commercial fishers can pursue their livelihoods,” said Mr. Keddy. “We’re pleased to fund projects that will provide local fishers with more efficient, productive facilities and improved access and navigation in the harbours."

These repair and improvement projects are being undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) in cooperation with the local harbour authorities that manage and operate facilities for local users. Close cooperation between DFO and harbour authorities allows the Government of Canada to continue to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of the commercial fishing industry.

This investment is in addition to the funding provided by Canada’s Economic Action Plan, which provides $200 million over two years for harbour repairs and maintenance projects at core commercial fishing harbours across Canada. These projects were announced in 2009, and work will continue until March 2011.