Fisheries and Aquaculture December 13, 2006
Tremendous Day For Harbour Breton
The Honourable Tom Rideout, Minister of Fisheries and
Aquaculture, today said that government is extremely pleased that the
Harbour Breton fish plant has reopened for the first time since April
2004. "This is a tremendous day for residents of Harbour
Breton and government joins with them in celebrating the beginning of a
viable future for the community and, indeed, the entire region," said
Minister Rideout. "When the facility closed, the Premier and our
government made a commitment that we would not forget the residents of
Harbour Breton and that we would stand shoulder to shoulder with them to
generate new opportunities for the community. We said it would take time
but, today, we have reached a turning point." The Premier and a ministerial committee visited the
community on many occasions and held numerous meetings with town
representatives and other stakeholders. "Government has worked tirelessly with the town, union
and others," said the minister. "This led to government�s announcement
last February that the Barry Group would become the facility�s new
operator. This announcement was embraced by the town, but our critics
still insisted that we did not have a plan for Harbour Breton. But,
government continued to push forward and, today, it is very clear that
our announcement in February was an instrumental step in bringing us to
where we are right now." Following the announcement in February, work to
facilitate the transfer of the plant to the company was carried out,
including the environmental remediation. "When it came time for government to officially
approve the transfer, we were delighted to do so," said Minister Rideout.
"We considered the town�s future when executing that transfer by making
it conditional that the facility revert back to the community should the
Barry Group cease to operate at a later date." Minister Rideout said the future looks bright for
Harbour Breton and the entire Connaigre Peninsula. "We understand that the Barry Group plans to grow its
aquaculture operations in the region," said the minister. "Furthermore,
with Cooke Aquaculture setting up a $155 million aquaculture project on
the south coast, the future for aquaculture in that region is
tremendously promising. Government will continue to work with the region
toward long-term solutions. "The Premier visited Harbour Breton as recently as
last week to view the facility and speak to residents of the community,"
continued the minister. "There exists a very positive environment and
there is much enthusiasm with this new beginning. I would like to
acknowledge Mayor Don Stewart and the Town of Harbour Breton for the
leadership and cooperation that they have shown throughout this process
and wish the community every success in moving forward." - 30 -
Media contact: 2006 12 13
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