New band-managed facility will service community fishing fleet and expand economic opportunities for Indigenous peoples on Prince Edward Island
August 26, 2022 · Lennox Island First Nation, Prince Edward Island · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
An active lobster and snow crab fishery is an important economic and cultural resource for the Lennox Island First Nation community on Prince Edward Island. The ability to perform vital maintenance and repairs to the fleet is essential to managing the resource safely and effectively.
That is why the Government of Canada is working with Lennox Island First Nation to design and build a new, Indigenous-owned and operated marine maintenance facility to service the Indigenous community's fishing fleet and provide skills training.
Supporting the growth of Indigenous-owned businesses
Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, announced a $999,621 total federal contribution to the Lennox Island First Nation. ACOA is providing $527,800 through its Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI) program, while an additional $471,821 is invested through the Indigenous Marine Services Initiative (IMSI), and was announced on behalf of the Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
The Province of P.E.I. is also contributing $100,000 towards the project.
This funding will help Lennox Island First Nation develop and build a marine repair facility that will keep maintainance and repair services at home in the community. The initiative will help the band prioritize their fleet's repairs, allowing greater control over their economic resources and position the fishery for long-term, sustainable growth. The project will also create new jobs and provide skills training to increase community participation in the local labour force.
Today's announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to growing a skilled Atlantic workforce and creating economic opportunities for Indigenous communities throughout the region.
