Government of Canada invests in major small craft harbours project at Miminegash, PEI
MIMINEGASH, PE, Oct. 23, 2026 /CNW/ — Small craft harbours are vital infrastructure that support Canada’s commercial fishing and aquaculture sectors, helping sustain coastal communities and local economies from coast to coast to coast. Together, Canada’s fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing industries support nearly 65,000 jobs and generated $8.47 billion in seafood exports in 2025.
Today, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, and Robert Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, are announcing a major construction project at Miminegash Small Craft Harbour in Prince Edward Island (PEI). This includes the reconstruction of the two southern breakwater structures (306 and 308), the shoreline protection structure (603) and the wharf (414). This work will improve safety, reliability, and climate resilience for harvesters and harbour users.
This project will help make sure the harbour can continue to support the local fishing industry while creating jobs during construction.
This investment builds on the Government of Canada’s commitment announced in the 2026 Spring Economic Update, which is to invest nearly $1 billion over five years to repair, maintain and modernize small craft harbours across the country. This funding will support harbour repairs, dredging, and make harbour infrastructure more resilient to changing environmental conditions and extreme weather.
Safe and reliable harbours are vital to the success of Prince Edward Island’s fishing industry and the communities that depend on them. The funding announced in the 2026 Spring Economic Update will strengthen Canada’s competitiveness and economic growth while supporting the communities that depend on these harbours. As Canada transforms from economic reliance to resilience, investments in small craft harbours will support local economic development for generations to come.
Quote
“Small craft harbours are the very heart of Prince Edward Island’s coastal communities. They are critical infrastructure for local economies, like the community of Miminegash. By investing in the future of Miminegash small craft harbour, we are making it safer for fish harvesters and their crew members.”
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries
“We all know that the fishery is an extremely significant part of our Island economy. Making sure that commercial harvesters have the best possible infrastructure to earn a living and make their great contribution to our communities, is of vital importance.”
Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont
Quick Facts
- Located on Prince Edward Island’s western shore, Miminegash small craft harbour is the homeport to roughly 41 commercial fishing vessels and crews. It serves as a core base for commercial fishing fleets, most notably during the vital fall lobster season.
- In 2025, commercial lobster fishery landings in Miminegash harbour amounted to a total value of more than $10M, which supports local processing plants, equipment suppliers, and transportation businesses in western Prince Edward Island.
- Funding under the 2026 Spring Economic Update is supporting necessary harbour maintenance and repairs across Canada, including in Prince Edward Island. In Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, harbour repairs and modernization began under the federal Hurricane Fiona Recovery Fund and Budget 2024.
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages close to 935 harbours valued at approximately $7.1 billion — infrastructure that supports the landing of roughly 90 per cent of Canada’s fish products and underpins the country’s seafood economy.
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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada
