Ottawa injects $957.8M into small craft harbours

The federal government has announced a $957.8-million investment over five years to modernize the Small Craft Harbours Program. Sourced from the Spring 2026 Economic Update, this funding aims to repair and adapt these strategic infrastructures in the face of climate change.

This new funding will be added to Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) existing annual budget, which currently stands at approximately $90 million.

The funds will primarily be used to finance routine repairs, upgrades, and dredging operations across the country.

Modernization and climate resilience

According to Ottawa, the work will be carried out using the latest climate projections to ensure the sustainability of the structures. Planned interventions notably include:

• Installing corrosion protection on fixed wharves;

• Replacing floating wharves;

• Upgrading boat launch ramps;

• Dredging harbour channels and basins.

Arctic focus: Pangnirtung harbour targeted

The Secretary of State for Seniors, Stephanie McLean, and Nunavut MP Lori Idlout took the opportunity to highlight the local benefits of this investment, particularly in Pangnirtung.

According to a Fisheries and Oceans Canada press release, the Nunavut harbour—home to 80 community and commercial fishing vessels (primarily for Arctic char and Greenland halibut)—will benefit from dredging and wharf infrastructure repairs.

Across Nunavut, we know the importance of protecting our lands, our waters, our traditions, and each other, explained Lori Idlout.

Small craft harbours support a commercial fishing, aquaculture, and processing industry that accounts for nearly 65,000 jobs in Canada.

In 2025, Canadian seafood exports reached a total of $8.47 billion.

Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson described the funding as the “largest investment ever made” in the program, calling it an essential measure to ensure fisher safety and the economic vitality of coastal and rural regions.

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada: Nunavut and Greenland commit to forming joint fisheries committee, CBC News

Iceland: Iceland’s FM announces defence review, calls revamped security policy ‘urgent’, Eye on the Arctic

Norway: Russia declares a fishing ultimatum to Norway, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: Brussels imposes sanctions on Murmansk fishery industry, The Independent Barents Observe