Grande Entrée, QC- While visiting les Îles de la Madeleine, Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and Lieutenant of Quebec, on behalf of the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, today announced that as part of the Spring Economic Update 2026, the Government of Canada is proposing to provide $957.8 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, for the Small Craft Harbours Program (DFO).
This provides investments for ongoing repairs, and is in addition to DFO’s existing annual program budget of approximately $90 million.
The funding will provide DFO with the financial stability needed to carry out repairs, improvements and dredging essential to the sustainability of small craft harbors across Canada. To this end, the Grande-Entrée Harbour, one of the most important in the region, has already been identified as one of the recipients. Repairs will include the reconstruction of wharf structure 406, which was damaged by a fire in 2024. Approximately 110 vessels use Grande Entrée Harbour and the main fishery is lobster.
Repairs will also be carried out using the latest climate projections, which will help create more resilient and modern infrastructure to meet the long-term needs of the industry and communities.
Les Îles de la Madeleine is one of many maritime communities with small craft harbours in Quebec that will benefit from this investment.
From coast to coast, Canada’s commercial fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors support nearly 65,000 jobs, including 42,900 commercial fish harvesters. In 2025, Canada’s fish and seafood exports totaled $8.47 billion.
(Photo from tourismeilesdelamadeleine.com)