Cummins announces $650,000 in Steveston small craft harbor improvements

(Steveston, BC Canada)

The Government of Canada is contributing $650,000 toward improvements to Steveston's Paramount and Gulf of Georgia small craft harbor sites, John Cummins, Member of Parliament for Delta-Richmond East, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

"Steveston is a busy, important harbor with a high volume of marine traffic," said Mr. Cummins. "These funds will help to ensure that Steveston continues to address the needs of local fishers, the community and transient vessels."

Annual maintenance dredging of Steveston Harbour will be undertaken to remove the current infill adjacent to Nelson Pond and ensure that basin depths are not compromised. As well, wharf repairs at the Paramount site, and minor works projects at both harbor sites, will be carried out to maintain the operational requirements of the harbor and ensure that facilities are in good repair.

These projects will be undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as part of its Small Craft Harbours Program, in cooperation with the Steveston Harbour Authority, which manages and operates the facilities for the benefit of local users. This cooperative effort reflects the federal government's commitment to provide an operable system of harbours and facilities throughout Canada in support of commercial fishing and coastal communities.

The Government of Canada understands the importance of small craft harbors to communities across the country. Since February 2006, the permanent, annual funding for the Small Craft Harbours Program has been increased by $20 million. A further $10 million commitment, to be invested over a two-year period, was made in Budget 2008. This funding is intended for repairs and environmental cleanup at recreational and non-core fishing harbors to facilitate the transfer of these harbors to interested parties.