The Mi'gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association is forging ahead with sustainable, innovative management of marine resources

More than $2.7 million from the Government of Canada will help support innovative, structuring projects in three Indigenous communities in the Gaspé Peninsula

October 10, 2018 - Gesgapegiag, Quebec – Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Employment and Social Development Canada and Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

In order to continue its mandate for sustainable development and conservation of marine ecosystems and to ensure the fishing-related economic and social development of the Mi’gmaq communities of Gespeg and Gesgapegiag, and of the Meliseets of Viger, the Mi'gmaq Maliseet Aboriginal Fisheries Management Association (MMAFMA) will restore important coastal habitats, boost the productivity and expansion of the SALAWEG line of food products and continue training Indigenous youth on board its training vessel.

The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with Indigenous communities towards an innovative, clean and inclusive economy. That is why contributions totalling $2,701,090 were made to the MMAFMA.

The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue, and Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, and the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced that funding today.

The MMAFMA’s mission is to promote the sustainable management and conservation of aquatic and ocean ecosystems in order to ensure their sustainability for future generations within the territories of the three Indigenous communities.

Related documents

For further details on these three projects that will contribute to the restoration and preservation of our environment and to Indigenous business and entrepreneurship development, please see the related backgrounders:

• SALAWEG
• Multi-species Fishing School Boat
• Restoration of important coastal habitats for the Mi'gmaq communities of Gespeg and Gesgapegiag and the Maliseet of Viger

Quotes

“Our government continues to work with the communities to strengthen their economies, ensure a healthy environment and help them take advantage of promising economic development opportunities for the future. The support for the MMAFMA is good news for the region. There is no doubt that these mobilizing projects will help stimulate regional vitality.”
The Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Member of Parliament for Gaspésie–Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Minister of National Revenue

“The projects bringing us together today reflect our commitment to doing things differently. I am proud that our government supports the unique expertise of the Mi'gmaq and Maliseet people, who rely on that asset for taking advantage of opportunities and ensuring the development of their communities and our region.”
Rémi Massé, Member of Parliament for Avignon–La Mitis–Matane–Matapédia

“The contributions announced today reflect a number of commitments from our government. Various programs, including the Oceans Protection Plan, enable us to work together to ensure that our oceans and coasts are safer, cleaner and healthier. Our work in collaboration with the MMAFMA helps preserve coastal habitats in areas of importance for three of Quebec’s Indigenous communities. These projects also help create regional synergy between the three communities and their partners.”
The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

"Our government is proud of the investments announced today, which will help create jobs, develop the skills of the local workforce and generate sustainable incomes for the Mi'gmaq communities of Gespeg and Gesgapegiag and for the Maliseet people of Viger. This contribution, made possible through the cooperation of a number of federal partners, will help support Indigenous participation in the region’s economic development opportunities.”
The Honourable Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services

“CED helps Quebec’s regions and companies participate in today’s economy to the full extent of their potential and assets. The MMAFMA’s projects are prime examples of the support that can be provided to communities that get mobilized for renewing the way they approach their economic development and take advantage of the many opportunities available to them.”
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

“Breaking down the barriers to employment facing the Mi’gmaq and Maliseet Indigenous people will ensure that they all have a real and fair chance at success. Helping the Mi'gmaq and Maliseet Indigenous people obtain the skills and training they need to find good jobs will help to grow the economy, strengthen the middle class and help those working hard to join it.”
The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“I am thrilled to announce this new project by the MMAFMA. Projects like this one, which will provide essential skills and occupational training, represent our government’s important partnership with Canada’s Indigenous peoples, including the Mi'gmaq and Maliseet Indigenous peoples.”
The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

 “The MMAFMA is thrilled to receive the Government of Canada’s support for its three flagship projects, which will enable its three member communities to preserve the coastal ecosystems, build on their assets and ensure diversification of fishing- and aquaculture-related economic activities.”
Pierre Jennis, President of the MMAFMA

Quick facts

The financial support from the various departments will enable the MMAFMA to:

• restore coastal fish habitats in areas of importance to the Mi'gmaq communities of Gespeg and Gesgapegiag and the Maliseet people of Viger;
• undertake the necessary actions to ensure the sustainability of SALAWEG, a range of products intended for human consumption made from algae produced through aquaculture;
• and continue providing training specifically tailored to the needs of Mi'gmaq and Maliseet people who aspire to be fishermen or captains.

Related links

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

• CED is one of the six regional development agencies under the responsibility of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.
• This year marks the 50th anniversary of federal regional economic development in Quebec: half a century of concrete action dedicated to the development of the regions and local businesses.
• For more information about CED and its priorities, consult the 2018-19 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

• Coastal Restoration Fund
• Protecting Our Coasts - Oceans Protection Plan
• Let’s Talk Oceans Protection Plan
• Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiatives
• Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management Program

Indigenous Services Canada

• Strategic Partnerships Initiative

Employment and Social Development Canada

• Skills and Partnership Fund