Fisheries and Oceans Minister Loyola Hearn was in Tobermory today to announce repair work to the North Wall in the town’s harbour.
Ninety metres of the wall at the launch ramp will be rehabilitated to make it safer, and visually more appealing.
North Bruce Peninsula Mayor Milt McIver is very happy with today’s announcement, as he says they’ve been trying to get federal money for the project for over 10 years now.
He says they’ve had two studies done over these years that show the deteriorating wall is a safety concern.
McIver adds this will help boost Tobermory’s economy, as it will make the launch area safe for the thousands of visitors they get each year, as well as the residents.
McIver says there hasn’t been much funding for these projects in the past, and there are many other communities that need this type of work as well.
Minister Hearn says for many Canadian communities, harbours are their connection to the water, and it’s important the facilities be safe.
Hearn says his government has increased their funding for harbour clean-up to 45 million dollars over the next seven years.
Hearn couldn’t speculate on how much the Tobermory harbour project would cost, as they haven’t yet gone to tender – – but he ballparks it in the 1 to 2 million dollar range.
He hopes work can be finished by March of next year.
After visiting Tobermory this morning, Minister Hearn made another announcement on Flower Pot Island.
The Flower Pot Lighthouse is in the process of being transferred into the care of Parks Canada.
Hearn says the Environmental agency will take over the lighthouse to restore and preserve it.
He says a lot more preservation projects are possible now, after hard work Bruce-Grey-Owen-Sound MP Larry Miller has put in to get his Marine Heritage Bill passed.
