The government of Canada has announced multiple major small craft harbor projects, including projects in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island (PEI).
Canada announced a planned investment of nearly CAD 1 billion (USD 714 million, EUR 641 million) in small craft harbors over the next five years in May 2026, which Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) said will help support 65,000 jobs across the country. The new projects are an extension of that investment, utilizing portions of that funding.
DFO announced one of the projects will be a major construction project at Pointe-Verte Small Craft Harbor in New Brunswick, consisting of advanced planning and rock-over of four existing wharf structures, the installation of new floating docks, and the complete reconstruction of the existing slipway.
“This work will improve safety, reliability, and climate resilience for harvesters and harbor users,” DFO said.
Canada Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson said small craft harbors are a critical part of coastal communities and economies like those in Pointe-Verte harbor.
“By investing in the future of Pointe-Verte harbor, as well as other harbors, we are ensuring the safety of fish harvesters and their crew members,” Thompson said.
Pointe-Verte is home port for roughly 16 commercial fishing vessels and crews, including lobster and halibut fisheries and a mackerel bait fishery.
Serge Cormier, a member of parliament for Acadie-Bathurst – which includes Pointe-Verte – said the investment will give the fishing fleet more reliable infrastructure to store vessels and land their catch.
“I look forward to working with the Pointe-Verte Harbour Authority and the harbor users on this important wharf construction project,” Cormier said.
DFO is also investing in a major construction project in Miminegash, PEI. That work will include the reconstruction of two breakwater structures, a shoreline protection structure, and the wharf, to improve safety, reliability, and climate resilience in the area.
"We all know that the fishery is an extremely significant part of our Island economy,” Bobby Morrissey, a member of parliament for Egmont, said. “Making sure that commercial harvesters have the best possible infrastructure to earn a living and make their great contribution to our communities, is of vital importance."
According to DFO, Miminegash is home to roughly 41 commercial fishing vessels and crews, and serves as a commercial base for the fall lobster season in the area. Commercial landings of lobster in the harbor reached more than CAD 10 million (USD 7.1 million, EUR 6.4 million) in 2025, which supported processing plants and other industries in the region.
