MIRAMICHI, N.B. — Ottawa plans to spend $62.8 million for construction and repair work at fishing harbours across Canada.
This money includes $7.9 million to improve small craft commercial fishing harbours in B.C.
Details on B.C. projects that will be funded were not immediately available on Friday.
Commercial fishermen on the Island are based in harbours from Victoria to Port Hardy. Even though the fishing industry has been hammered by fleet downsizing and processing plant closures in the past 20 years, it remains an important part of the Island’s economy.
The sector’s gross domestic product in B.C. was valued at $102.3 million in 2011, B.C. Stats said.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the funding in Miramichi, N.B., on Friday, where he said the money this year would go to more than 100 projects that include maintenance and dredging.
Harper says the funding will help support the livelihoods of commercial fishermen.
It will pay for projects such as electrical upgrades, float installations and wharf reconstruction.
