Government Invests in Wheatley Harbor Dredging

Member of Parliament for Chatham-Kent-Essex, Dave Van Kesteren, on behalf of the Honorable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, announced yesterday an investment by the Government of Canada in maintenance of the Wheatley Harbor.

“The continued use of Wheatley Harbor by commercial and recreational fishermen is vital to our community,” said Dave Van Kesteren.

“This is part of our Government’s investment of approximately $106 million in repair, construction, maintenance and dredging projects across Canada,” said Van Kesteren. The $106 million includes $66 million in regular program funding for the Small Craft Harbors Program in 2014-15 and $40 million over two years from Economic Action Plan 2014.

The entrance channel at Wheatley Harbor will undergo necessary redredging. As well, plans and specifications will be prepared this year for a major redredging intervention to begin in 2015.

Home port to approximately 30 commercial vessels, this harbor plays a vital role in the local economy and creates numerous jobs. The project is part of annual maintenance to improve the facilities that enable fishermen to safely and profitably do their work.

“We would like to thank MP Dave Van Kesteren and the Government for their continued support of Wheatley Harbor and our annual dredging projects to ensure boats are able to safely get in and out of the harbor,” said Todd Loop, President of the Wheatley Harbor Authority.