441-01680 (Fisheries)

Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) Small Craft Harbours (SCH) program is responsible for operating and maintaining a national system of harbours that provide commercial fish harvesters and other harbour users with safe and accessible facilities. SCH network consists of 949 harbours, of which 691 are considered core harbours that are essential to the commercial fishing industry and 258 non-core harbours, which have low fishing activity and are candidates for divestiture.

In its efforts to keep harbours safe and accessible, DFO must carry out construction projects at various harbours that fall under SCH program. One such project was undertaken at North Head harbour, located on Grand Manan Island, in New Brunswick in the spring of 2021.

The project at North Head involves dredging, construction of a new marginal wharf, the addition of a boat ramp, as well as improvements to the breakwater located on the far side of the harbour’s basin. The project is significant and will ensure the continued safe operation of North Head harbour and its fleet of approximately 80 commercial fish harvesters.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) is responsible for the administration of the contract  between Canada and the contractor responsible for the project. PSPC is assuming this role on behalf of DFO.

As a result of the dredging portion of the project, dredge material has been stored on the construction site. The contractor is responsible for the disposal of the dredged material. A portion of this material will be reused at the site, as part of the construction project. Another portion will be disposed of at the local construction and demolition site, and a third portion will be transported by truck and ferry to an approved disposal site located off of Grand Manan Island.

Work at the construction site stopped for a period of time while the contractor was waiting for environmental permits from the government of New Brunswick. These permits, which allow for the disposal of dredge material at the approved local disposal facility have been obtained, and removal of the dredged material has begun.

Based on the most recent project schedule provided by the contractor, the construction project at North Head is expected to be completed by the end of May 2024.

The Government of Canada is committed to renewing vital infrastructure, such as small craft harbours, that support the economic growth and development of communities in New Brunswick and across the country.

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) continues to advance the work at North Head in Grand Manan and is aware of delays with the projected timelines for completion. The department understands the concerns that community members have expressed over the delays. PSPC and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are actively working with the contractor to ensure that the remaining work can be completed as quickly as possible.  

At the end of August 2023, the contractor obtained the required provincial approvals to move 10,000 cubic metres of dredged material, which is approximately one third of the material currently on site. It will be disposed of at the Grand Manan Construction and Demolition site. This work began the first week of October and is expected to be take approximately 20 working days.

Based on the results of ongoing testing, a disposal method for the remaining dredged material will be established. It is anticipated that a portion of the material will be reused on site and a portion will be transported to an approved off-island disposal site.

The dredging work is approximately 70% completed, and the contractor is scheduled to finish the dredging by the end of November 2023.