News Release

BAS-CARAQUET (CNB) - A revitalization of the marine industry in the Acadian Peninsula was announced today by a non-profit company thanks to financial investments by the federal and provincial governments.

Premier Shawn Graham; National Revenue Minister Keith Ashfield, who is also minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and minister for the Atlantic Gateway; and the Centre de construction, réparation et fabrication navale du Nouveau-Brunswick inc. made the announcement.

The company will develop a multi-million dollar marine construction and repair facility in Bas-Caraquet thanks, in part, to $1.3 million from the federal government and a $300,000 loan guarantee from the provincial government.

"Investing in the development of the Bas Caraquet Marine Centre is an action item clearly identified in our government's Action Plan for Self-Sufficiency in Northern New Brunswick," said Graham. "The marine centre will provide capacity for the construction of marine vessels and support the expansion of the traditional boat building and repair sector."

Phase 1 of the project includes the purchase of land and buildings in the Bas-Caraquet Industrial Park. It also includes the acquisition of equipment and architectural marine plans.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to partner with the Province of New Brunswick for the development of this marine facility," said Ashfield. "Through ACOA's Business Development Program, our government's investment of $1.3 million will help Centre de construction, réparation et fabrication navale du Nouveau-Brunswick inc. add value to local resources, enhance the province's manufacturing capacity, produce jobs and create long-term economic opportunities for northern New Brunswick."

"This project to revive the marine industry in Bas-Caraquet has taken a first important milestone with the completion of its Phase 1, which is the purchasing of assets and infrastructures to revive the marine industry in New Brunswick," said Jacques Dugas, president of Centre naval. "The goal is to take advantage of the tradition and the heritage of the region in terms of naval construction, repair and manufacturing. The Centre naval du Nouveau-Brunswick welcomes the support of its partners in this ambitious project, a project of major economic importance for the province and the Acadian Peninsula as a whole."

The federal government's contribution is through ACOA's Business Development Program while the provincial government's support is through the Regional Development Corporation.