Small craft harbours across the country have received an injection in cash from the federal government, which they say will help to bolster local economies through tourism, recreation and commercial fishing.
Jonathan Wilkinson, the federal Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, was at Steveston harbour on Thursday to affirm the federal government is spending $33 million from 2016 to 2020 on small craft harbours in addition to operational funding.
Robert Kiesman, president of the Steveston Harbour Authority, said they had the busiest year in 2018, with new infrastructure added to the harbour. He said it’s “full speed ahead” for the fishing industry in Steveston, with several project on the go in 2019, partly because of federal funding boost.
“We have no intention of slowing down,” he said. “We are planning 2019 to be our biggest year yet.”
The Steveston Harbour already received $6.8 million, which was used to replace two wharves, repair three buildings, dredging and to build a drive-down floating wharf.
Ten abandoned vessels have also been removed from B.C. federal small craft harbours as part of the DFO’s Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels Removal Program.
The $33 million will support 35 harbour projects throughout B.C.
