Richibucto, NB – On behalf of the Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi— Grand Lake, awarded Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s National Individual Commitment Prix d’Excellence to Mr. Cyril Polchies, the first Indigenous person to receive this award from the Small Craft Harbours Program.

Mr. Polchies, of Elsigogtog First Nation, has been president of the Richibucto Harbour Authority since 2002. Richibucto is a busy harbour with close to 100 commercial fishermen.

The Government of Canada is pleased to recognize the leadership and dedication of Mr. Polchies as president over the past 14 years. During this period, he demonstrated outstanding personal commitment to fostering greater cooperation among Mi’kmaq, Anglophone and Francophone fishermen who use the Richibucto small craft harbour. These efforts have resulted in a better managed harbour for the fishermen and a stronger local community working toward common goals.

“I congratulate Cyril Polchies for his excellent work and dedication with the Richibucto Harbour Authority. He has done an excellent job in bringing people together to improve the safety and vitality of the harbour which benefits the entire community. His efforts exemplify the dedication and hard work that members of harbour authorities across Canada demonstrate every day.” – The Honourable Hunter Tootoo, Minister ...