Ottawa, N.L. earmarks $4.3M for projects to help coastal communities fight erosion

CBC
·2 min read
A seawall in Bonavista is looking a little thinner after the historic storm on Jan. 17, 2019. The storm broke through seawall fixtures in several locations around the community. (Garrett Barry/CBC - image credit)
A seawall in Bonavista is looking a little thinner after the historic storm on Jan. 17, 2019. The storm broke through seawall fixtures in several locations around the community. (Garrett Barry/CBC - image credit)
A seawall in Bonavista is looking a little thinner after the historic storm on Jan. 17, 2019. The storm broke through seawall fixtures in several locations around the community.
A seawall in Bonavista is looking a little thinner after the historic storm on Jan. 17, 2019. The storm broke through seawall fixtures in several locations around the community.

The federal and provincial governments has announced funding for eight Newfoundland communities to help them protect themselves against coastal erosion. (Garrett Barry/CBC)

The provincial and federal governments have announced funding for eight Newfoundland communities for projects to combat coastal erosion and climate change.

The $4.3 million announced Tuesday in Corner Brook is split between Ottawa and the provincial government and will be distributed to eight communities to add or reinforce protection measures like armour stone, breakwaters and sea walls.

The towns receiving funding are Channel-Port aux Basques, Cox's Cove, Fortune, Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook, Harbour Main-Chapel's Cove-Lakeview, Milltown-Head of Bay D'Espoir, Old Perlican and Trinity Bay North.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Abbott said Tuesday that the funding reflects the impact of climate change on coastal communities — highlighted by post-tropical storm Fiona, which devastated the Port aux Basques region and other parts of Newfoundland in late 2022.

"We know that we are at the beginning of significant change and impact on this infrastructure. One thing governments can do is to work with local communities to address their infrastructure needs and mitigate potential future damage," Abbott said.

"I think most of us would say this is going to be a more frequent event for Newfoundland and Labrador.… If the community's going to stay there, than we have to protect them from the seas that are coming toward them."

N.L. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Abbott, left, and Liberal MP Gudie Hutchings say the funding comes as climate change continues to impact coastline in the province.
N.L. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Abbott, left, and Liberal MP Gudie Hutchings say the funding comes as climate change continues to impact coastline in the province.

N.L. Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Abbott, left, and Liberal MP Gudie Hutchings announced the funding Tuesday in Corner Brook. (Colleen Connors/CBC)

Abbott said the province is contributing just over $2 million of the funding and will provide engineering expertise to communities to make sure the projects aren't just quick fixes.

Liberal MP Gudie Hutchings said construction will start during this year.

"We all know climate change is real. We all know we have to protect our communities, both federal, provincial and municipal governments," Hutchings said.

"This is real, so let's get proactive in making sure that we're protecting communities."

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