Canada Announces Historic $957.8 Million Investment in Small Craft Harbours
The Government of Canada has proposed a $957.8 million investment over five years for the Small Craft Harbours Program, marking the largest funding increase in the program's history to support coastal economies and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The Government of Canada announced a significant financial commitment to the nation’s coastal infrastructure as part of the Spring Economic Update 2026. The proposal includes a $957.8 million investment over five years, starting in 2026-27, for the Small Craft Harbours Program. This new funding is in addition to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) existing annual program budget of approximately $90 million.
Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson described the announcement as the largest investment ever made in small craft harbours. The initiative aims to support repairs, upgrades, and dredging at harbours across Canada, with a focus on ensuring safe and operational infrastructure for harvesters and workers. Officials emphasized that the funding will also help sustain the fisheries sector, which supports nearly 65,000 jobs, including more than 42,900 commercial fish harvesters. In 2025, Canada’s fish and seafood exports totaled $8.47 billion.
A key component of this investment is the integration of climate resilience into infrastructure projects. Repairs funded by this initiative will utilize the latest climate projections to create structures capable of withstanding changing environmental conditions.
Several specific projects in Nova Scotia were highlighted as beneficiaries of this funding. At Meteghan harbour, home to 90 vessels primarily engaged in lobster and groundfish fisheries along with aquaculture, funds will support the replacement of floats and piles for structures 802 and 805, the replacement of float structure 803, and repairs to H-piles on wharf structure 403.
In Lower Argyle, Camp Cove Harbour will receive funding for the reconstruction of wharves 401 and 402. This harbour serves 53 vessels, with main fisheries focused on lobster and groundfish. Additionally, Port Morien harbour, which hosts 15 commercial fishing vessels primarily targeting lobster, will use the funds for the reconstruction of its main breakwater (301).
These investments are intended to support local economic development in coastal communities and sustain livelihoods dependent on fishing and transportation.