Ontario is investing more than $10 million to upgrade fisheries management facilities in Wheatley and Port Dover, a move local officials say will strengthen the Lake Erie fishing industry and support jobs in southwestern Ontario.
“Wheatley is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and this investment by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources is another exciting step forward for the community,” said Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff. “This project not only strengthens our vital fishing industry, but also supports the long-term sustainability of our natural resources. We’re grateful for the province’s commitment to Wheatley and to the future of Lake Erie.”
The planned improvements will replace aging infrastructure, expand facility space and add new technologies to improve efficiency and safety. Construction is expected to begin within two years, with the Port Dover facility slated to open by 2027 and the Wheatley site by 2029.
“Commercial and recreational fishing in Lake Erie are critical resources to southwestern Ontario’s economy, featuring world-class fisheries that generate millions of dollars and sustain thousands of jobs,” said Mike Harris, Ontario’s Minister of Natural Resources. “As part of our government’s plan to protect Ontario, this investment will help boost our province’s economic growth and agri-food sector by ensuring these fisheries are able to stay competitive and resilient in the face of economic uncertainty.”
The upgrades will include more space for field equipment and an upgraded laboratory for processing samples, supporting the long-term health of fish populations in Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.
“With upgraded infrastructure and innovation through new technologies, this investment protects Ontario’s food security and supports the people who work in our fisheries sector against tariffs from the U.S.,” said Trevor Jones, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “Our government is proud to support the people who work in our agri-food sector and will continue to make the critical investments that ensure a sustainable and resilient food supply for the people in our communities.”
Todd McCarthy, acting Minister of Infrastructure, said the province’s investment is part of a larger effort to strengthen southwestern Ontario’s economy and sustain jobs. “Upgrades to the Wheatley and Port Dover fisheries are strategic investments in the future of southwestern Ontario’s economy,” he said. “Under the leadership of Premier Ford, we are delivering on our more than $200-billion capital plan to build the infrastructure our province needs to support growing communities, while keeping workers on the job to drive economic growth.”
The government said the investment supports Ontario’s plan to modernize and strengthen commercial and recreational fishing, which contributes roughly $200 million a year to the province’s economy and supports about 1,000 jobs in the fishery and processing sectors.
