Gail Shea News

The Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today an investment to improve safety and working conditions for fishermen at Naufrage Harbor, Prince Edward Island. This funding will be used to replace a section of an existing deteriorated wharf with a new structure, repair the entrance breakwater and carry out maintenance dredging of the channel. Since 2006, the Government of Canada has provided an unprecedented level of funding to support investments in public infrastructure across the country. Last fall, Prime Minister Harper announced an additional investment of $5.8 billion over the next two years to build and renew infrastructure across the country to support Canadian heritage…

Canada’s government has invested nearly $11 million to date for improvements and repairs to the Canadian Coast Guard College. The government of Canada is investing $8.6 million to replace the college’s roof, addition to $2.3 million already devoted to upgrading the emergency electrical system, announced transport minister Lisa Raitt on behalf of the fisheries and oceans minister Gail Shea. The investments aim to further reduce the college’s energy consumption while ensuring it maintains international standards for marine safety and environmental response training.

Canadian shipbuilder Davie informs it has been awarded a $16 million contract to refit and upgrade the CCGS Henry Larsen, a CCG T1200-Class Icebreaker based in St. John’s, Newfoundland. Medium icebreaker CCGS Henry Larsen is capable of sustained icebreaking and escort operations in the Arctic and Atlantic Region for the winter and summer seasons. The vessel joined the CCG fleet in 1988 and is named after the commander of the first vessel to cross the Northwest Passage in a single season.

The entry into force of new regulations to strengthen the prevention of aquatic invasive species (AIS) in Canadian waters was announced today by Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail Shea. The Government of Canada, which spends more than $14 million on AIS issues annually, worked with provincial and territorial governments to develop the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations. The regulations provide tools for both the Department and provinces to prevent the introduction and spread of AIS…

Canada’s Minister of Transport Lisa Raitt, joined by Members of Parliament from Atlantic Canada, announced a new Commercial Fishing Safety component of the Government of Canada's Boating Safety Contribution Program, a contribution funding program which aims to raise public awareness of boating safety. Under this new component, up to $300,000 per year for the next three years will be available to support education and awareness initiatives that promote safe boating practices onboard small commercial fishing vessels across the country. "Our investments through this new program will help enhance the lives and livelihoods of Canada's commercial fishers by helping to reduce loss of life, injuries and property damage due to accidents on the water," Raitt said.

On behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Pat Davidson, Member of Parliament for Sarnia-Lambton announced that the Government of Canada will fund work to upgrade the storage tank at the Port Lambton Inshore Rescue Boat Station. This investment will ensure that the search and rescue vessels that rely on this tank will continue to have timely access to fuel. Last year, the Station completed 24 missions. In turn, the Government of Canada ensures that the services that keep Canada’s waters safe and secure are well-maintained. “Providing the hardworking men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard with updated facilities is essential to their work,” Shea said.

Davie has been awarded a contract from the government of Canada for the Vessel Life Extension (VLE) of Canadian Coast Guard Ship CCGS Earl Grey, the shipyard announced today. CCGS Earl Grey is a Medium Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel used by the Canadian Coast Guard to perform a variety of roles including icebreaking, primarily offshore Prince Edward Island. The vessel’s nine-month life extension program will take place in Davie’s secondary drydock, the Lorne dock. The program primarily consists of replacements and upgrades to engines, machinery, equipment and electrical systems.

Canada’s Shea announces a $1.8 million contract for Tignish Harbor; contract awarded to Gaudette's Transit Mix Ltd. The Government of Canada has awarded a $1.8 million contract through a public tendering process to Gaudette’s Transit Mix Ltd. for a major harbor infrastructure project that will be carried out over two years at Tignish Harbor, Prince Edward Island, The Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Regional Minister for PEI and MP for Egmont, announced. The work follows key recommendations resulting from a coastal study and structural assessments that examined various technical solutions to address safety and operational needs of harbor users at Tignish and Judes Point.

Senator Fabian Manning, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced an $18.4 million investment in improvement projects at small craft harbors in Newfoundland and Labrador. Shore protection improvements at St. Maintenance dredging at Trout River. “In Newfoundland and Labrador, where the fishing industry is part of the daily fabric of society, small craft harbors play a significant role,” Manning said. “Our Government is pleased to invest in these facilities to ensure that they continue to meet the needs of the commercial fishing industry and stimulate local economies. The Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans…

Entry into service of Canadian Coast Guard's new mid-shore patrol vessel, the CCGS Caporal Kaeble V.C., was inaugurated by The Honorable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Mainly used as part of a joint program with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the patrol vessel enhances security and safety along the St. Lawrence River, as well as in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the St.

Senator Fabian Manning, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing in a harbor improvement project at Harbor Grace, Newfoundland and Labrador. The project consists of the extension of a finger pier wharf to create a protected area for larger fishing vessels, to be completed over two years. This work will ensure that fishermen have additional safe berthing and offloading facilities. Construction is planned to start this fall and is expected to be completed by March 2016. Funding for this project is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of approximately $106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects at small craft harbors across Canada.

Bryan Hayes, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced today that the Government of Canada is investing in a harbor improvement project at Mamainse Harbor. The project consists of the refurbishment of the north breakwater. This work is planned to start in the late fall. Funding for this project is part of the Government of Canada’s investment of approximately $106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects at small craft harbors across Canada. This includes $66 million in regular program funding and an additional $40 million over two years, as announced in Economic Action Plan 2014.

The Canadian Government informs that  David Wells, Senator for Newfoundland and Labrador witnessed the departure of the 'CCGS Terry Fox' from St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, as it headed out on a six-week scientific survey to collect data needed for Canada’s Arctic continental shelf submission. It will be joined by the 'CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent', which departs from the same location tomorrow. A second survey, to collect additional data, will be conducted in 2015. “As demonstrated by these planned surveys, our government is committing the resources necessary to ensure that Canada secures international recognition of the full extent of its continental shelf, including the North Pole,” said Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird. The CCGS Terry Fox will break ice so that the CCGS Louis S.

Government of Canada Awards Babcock Canada Inc. a $6.5 Million Contract for Refit Work on the CCGS Louis S. Parliamentary Secretary Bernard Trottier, on behalf of the Honorable Diane Finley, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, and the Honorable Steven Blaney, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that the Government of Canada has awarded a $6.5 million contract to Babcock Canada Inc. for critical refit work for Canadian Coast Guard ship CCGS Louis S. St-Laurent.

The Honorable Greg Rickford, Minister of Natural Resources and Minister for the Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario, and Joyce Bateman, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Center, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that agreements have been finalized with the new operator of the Experimental Lakes Area, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD ELA Inc.) These agreements mean that the federal government has fulfilled its commitments to ensuring that research at the Experimental Lakes Area can continue under a new operator. “I am pleased to announce that the federal government has secured a new operator for the Experimental Lakes Area…

The Government ministers concerned have announced that the Government of Canada has issued a Request for Information (RFI) to seek industry feedback on the next generation of Coast Guard lifeboats, due to be built as part of the National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy’s (NSPS) small vessels program. The intent of this RFI is to engage directly with Canadian shipyards who are potential suppliers of these new vessels. This first step in the procurement process will provide the Government with valuable information before drafting the Request for Proposal.

As part of the Government's investment in its Coast Guard fleet, Federal Ministers Gail Shea and Rob Moore announce the award of a $1.2 million contract to St. John’s Dockyard Limited for Vessel Life Extension (VLE) and refit work to Canadian Coast Guard vessel 'CCGS Cygnus', . In the unprecedented investment to the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet renewal program allocated in Economic Action Plan 2012, the Harper Government will extend the lives of sixteen Coast Guard vessels and complete mid-life modernizations on an additional two existing hovercraft over the next 10 years.

“Our Government is proud to accept the CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. into the Canadian Coast Guard fleet,” said Minister Shea. The CCGS Corporal McLaren M.M.V. is a Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel that will be based in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. It was built in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. A formal naming and dedication ceremony will follow. The Hero Class vessels are 43 metres in length with a displacement of 257 tonnes and a top speed of 25 knots. The Hero Class vessels are named for decorated soldiers…

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans wished bon voyage to Canadian Coast Guard crew members and scientists aboard the CCGS 'Amundsen' who will participate in the 2013 research mission in  the Canadian Arctic. "This year marks the 10th anniversary of the CCGS Amundsen, a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research icebreaker," said Minister Shea. The CCGS Amundsen is one of the few Canadian icebreakers to have a dual purpose. In winter, she is assigned to the CCG icebreaking program whereas every summer, she is chartered by ArcticNet, a scientific consortium.

The Government of Canada will invest $10.2 million in maintenance, repair, construction and dredging projects at small craft harbours in Nova Scotia, as part of a country-wide $63 investment in core fishing harbours. “Small craft harbours play a vital role in securing the prosperity of our coastal communities in Nova Scotia,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. “The investment announced today shows our Government’s commitment to providing safe and prosperous harbours. •    Reconstructing a portion of a wharf at Upper Whitehead, to be carried out over two years.

Federal and provincial Ministers have concluded the annual meetings of the Atlantic and Canadian Councils of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, commit to working together to protect fisheries and develop Canadian fishing and aquaculture industry. Ministers discussed a range of topics, including recreational fisheries, the lobster fishery, the continuing importance of the seal hunt to Canadian coastal communities, the federal Fisheries Protection Program, aquaculture, and aquatic invasive species. The challenges and opportunities facing the recreational fisheries.

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has announced acceptance of the fifth of the Canadian Coast Guard’s new Hero Class vessels, the 'CCGS G. The CCGS G. Peddle S.C. is a Mid-Shore Patrol Vessel that will be based in Dartmouth, 
Nova Scotia. It was constructed in Halifax, Nova Scotia, by Irving Shipbuilding Inc. A formal naming and dedication ceremony will follow. The Hero-Class vessels are 43 metres in length with a displacement of 257 tonnes and a top speed of 25 knots. “We are honoured to accept the CCGS G. Peddle S.C.

Canada’s Transport Minister John Baird announced that as part of Canada’s Northern Strategy, the federal government is proposing a regulated Arctic traffic zone, requiring certain vessels to report information to authorities as they pass through Canada’s northern waters. The new measures will help to ensure efficient navigation, enhance the safety of vessels, crew and passengers, and protect the unique and fragile Arctic marine environment. They are intended to replace the current voluntary reporting system and ensure that the most effective services and information are available to manage current and future marine traffic in the Arctic. “Mandatory vessel reporting will help keep maritime traffic moving safely and efficiently,” said Baird.