Government of Canada invests in the North Shore of Quebec through the Oceans Protection Plan

OTTAWA, Feb. 22, 2019 /CNW/ - Making our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier for all Canadians is a top priority for the Government of Canada.

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, announced the Agence Mamu Innu Kaikusseht (AMIK) will receive $1,200,000 over four years to help restore deteriorated coastal habitats important to Innu communities of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence.

Restoring coastal habitats that are important for the Innu communities of the North Shore  is a strategic initiative that benefits the communities involved, because in addition to creating regional synergy, the project will contribute to the maintenance of traditional activities and the strengthening of the capacity of several stakeholders to restore key fish habitats.

The objective of the first phase of the project is to identify and prioritize restoration sites that will benefit Innu communities that are members of AMIK. In the second phase, the characterization and planning of the interventions will make it possible to implement restoration projects on the selected sites and ensure the sustainability of the developments.

In May 2017, the Government of Canada announced the $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund, under the Oceans Protection Plan, to help rehabilitate some of our most vulnerable coastlines and protect marine life and ecosystems. The Coastal Restoration Fund supports projects that contribute to healthier habitats for fish on all of Canada's coasts with preference given to projects that are multiyear and involve a broad number of partners, including Indigenous groups.

Quotes

"The federal government is committed to protecting Canada's coastline ? that's why we're implementing the Oceans Protection Plan, which allows us to work together to make our oceans and coasts safer, cleaner and healthier. The $75 million Coastal Restoration Fund provides an opportunity to address threats to our ocean and coastal areas.  Our work with AMIK will ensure healthy and thriving coastal habitats for future generations in the Innu communities of the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence." 

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"This contribution, which AMIK received through the Coastal Restoration Fund, is a first step in identifying and restoring coastal habitats near Innu communities on the North Shore. AMIK is pleased to work with the members of each Innu community for the well-being of nature."

Léo St-Onge, Director General, Agence Mamu Innu Kaikusseht (AMIK)

Quick facts

• The sites that will be restored are located along the Estuary and Gulf of St. Lawrence. The coastal habitats targeted by the project are eelgrass beds, salt marshes, shellfish beds and habitats frequented by forage species.
• The project will reduce threats to the habitats of several fish species and maintain or restore certain traditional and economic activities related to the marine environment of Innu communities.
• This project, led by AMIK, will help seven member communities increase their capacity towards conservation and restoration of coastal habitats.
• Over the past two years, the Government of Canada has invested more than $4.5 million in nine projects in Quebec under the Coastal Restoration Fund.

Associated links

• Coastal Restoration Fund
• Protecting our Coasts - Oceans Protection Plan
• Let's Talk ? Oceans Protection Plan

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada