The federal government proposed nearly $1 billion in funding to repair and strengthen small craft harbours across Canada.
The 2026 Spring Economic Update proposed $957.8 million over five years, starting in 2026-27, for the Small Craft Harbours Program.
The proposed funding would support repair, modernization, and climate resilience for core harbour infrastructure. Small craft harbours are often basic economic infrastructure for commercial fishing and coastal communities rather than discretionary local amenities.
The proposed investment is in addition to the existing Fisheries and Oceans Canada annual program budget of about $90 million.
The source placed the infrastructure funding in the context of the fish and seafood sector, saying Canadian fish and seafood exports totalled $8.47 billion in 2025.
Harbour conditions can affect vessel safety, landing capacity, processing schedules, and the reliability of local supply chains. Those operational details matter for communities where fishing income supports local businesses and municipal tax bases.
The fiscal decision is whether to put federal money into coastal infrastructure that supports export activity, food supply, and climate resilience.