Government Of Canada Invests In Small Craft Harbours At Constance Bay And Fitzroy Harbour

February 22, 2008

OTTAWA – The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Revenue, today announced that the federal government will invest an estimated $240,000 for repairs to the Small Craft Harbour (SCH) facilities at Constance Bay and Fitzroy Harbour.  Minister O’Connor made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

“We are taking action to ensure the safety of users at these facilities,” said Minister O’Connor. “The Government of Canada recognizes that periodic investment and ongoing maintenance are required in order for waterfront infrastructure such as this to fully benefit local communities.”

Constance Bay and Fitzroy Harbour are located on the Ottawa River in the City of Ottawa.  At each site, SCH facilities consist of a small boat launching area with an adjacent concrete tie-up wharf.  Both of these facilities are managed by the City of Ottawa under a management lease agreement. 

SCH will repair the facilities with the intent to ultimately divest both harbours.  The federal divestiture policy offers government assets sequentially to other federal departments and agencies, provincial governments, local governments, local community groups, and finally, through public listing or tender, to the public at large.

These projects are an example of the cooperation between Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and local stakeholders, and are undertaken as part of the Recreational Harbour Divestiture Program administered by DFO’s Small Craft Harbours Branch.