FORT FRANCES, ONTARIO – Greg Rickford, Member of Parliament for Kenora, announced today on behalf of the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, that the federal government will invest in the rehabilitation of the Fort Frances (Five Mile Wharf) Facility in Ontario.

The Five Mile Wharf Facility, which fronts the Couchiching First Nation Reserve, comprises 0.715 hectares of property consisting of an L-shaped stationary wharf, floating docks and a launch ramp located on Rainy Lake.  The general project involves repairs to the wharf’s substructure, replacement of the entire timber deck and repairs to the floating docks.  The project is expected to be finished before Spring 2009. 

“Our Government is committed to investing in communities in this time of economic uncertainty. With significant investments in small craft harbours, we will help Canadians weather the economic storm,” said Rickford.  “The completion of the work and transfer of the facility will ensure continued safe public access for years to come as well as enabling the communities and fish harvesters to make the most of their economic opportunities”

Funding of $370,000 has been allocated to this project, which is being undertaken by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Small Craft Harbours Branch, under the Recreational Harbour Divestiture Program.  Once the work is completed, it is expected that the facility will be transferred to the Couchiching First Nation for ongoing public use.

Small craft harbours are critical for the commercial fishing industry and communities where commercial fishing is carried out. Budget 2009 provides up to $200 million over two years to accelerate the repair and maintenance and undertake necessary dredging at core commercial fishing harbours across Canada. This is in addition to the remaining commitment from Budget 2008 of $5 million for 2009-10 for repairs and environmental cleanup at recreational and non-core fishing harbours to permit their transfer to interested parties