Canada Begins Construction of New Wharf at Glace Bay Small Craft Harbour
On October 14, 2026, the Government of Canada announced the start of construction on a new 174-metre marginal wharf and electrical system at the Glace Bay Small Craft Harbour in Nova Scotia. The nearly $9 million project, awarded to Zutphen Contractors, is expected to be completed by summer 2027.
The Government of Canada began construction of a new 174-metre marginal wharf and a new electrical and lighting system at the Glace Bay Small Craft Harbour in Nova Scotia on October 14, 2026. 
The construction project was awarded to Zutphen Contractors for nearly $9 million and is funded through Budget 2024. Work on the Glace Bay wharf is expected to be completed in summer 2027. The initiative aims to improve the condition, safety, and reliability of essential harbour infrastructure for commercial harvesters, particularly those involved in inshore lobster fishing, ensuring the harbour can continue to support the commercial fishery and other users for years to come.
This announcement coincides with broader federal commitments under the Spring Economic Update 2026. As part of the update, the Government of Canada committed a further $957.8 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, for the Small Craft Harbours Program. Funding for Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Small Craft Harbour projects will see an increase of more than 35 per cent over a 10-year average under the Spring 2026 Economic Update, building upon the existing annual program budget of $90 million.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages close to 935 harbours valued at approximately $7.1 billion, supporting the landing of roughly 90 per cent of Canada's fish products. These facilities are vital to coastal communities and local economic development. In 2025, Canada's fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood processing industries supported nearly 68,000 jobs and generated $8.47 billion in seafood exports.