Speaking Notes for the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., M.P. Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard at the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance 2016 National Forum and Annual General Meeting

November 29, 2016 - Ottawa, Ontario

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Thank you, Ruth, for that kind introduction and warm welcome.

I am delighted to be joining you today and to have this opportunity to talk about our government’s commitment to growing an aquaculture sector that is economically prosperous, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible.

As an Atlantic Canadian, I have seen first-hand the opportunities that this industry offers, providing meaningful, year-round jobs for the middle class and those seeking to join it in many rural, coastal and Indigenous communities across Canada.

This summer I had a chance to visit some aquaculture installations in New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, which were very impressive. I also had positive discussions with Indigenous communities in British Columbia who spoke about their desire to participate in this sector in a more meaningful way.

Only 30 years ago this industry was in its infancy. In 1986 it produced roughly 10,500 tonnes of farmed fish and seafood and generated approximately $35 million in revenue. 

Today, aquaculture has grown into a thriving industry in Canada. In 2015, our farmed fish and seafood products were valued at more than one billion dollars and generated thousands of full-time jobs in every province across Canada as well as in the Yukon territory.

Globally speaking, nearly 50 percent of fish and seafood consumed worldwide is produced from aquaculture which means this industry is poised for even more growth.

By 2050, the United Nations estimates there will be 9.7 billion people on earth. This is up from 7.3 billion today and 4.4 billion in 1980. How we will feed a growing population that is also becoming richer and demanding more animal protein is one of the major challenges facing the global community.

Canada, with its pristine waters and the longest coastline in the world, is in an excellent position to capitalize on this high growth market and to do our share in providing healthy, high-quality protein to a hungry planet.

As I am sure many of you know, last June the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans released a report called "An Ocean of Opportunities: Aquaculture in Canada". The findings included in this report indicate that our aquaculture industry could potentially double in size over the next decade if policy changes are made to ensure it is done in a sustainable way.

The Senate report included 10 recommendations on how this growth can be achieved. As Minister, I responded to all of the recommendations put forward and have already asked my officials to take steps to address them in conjunction with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, which also has a role to play with respect to a few recommendations.

I also appeared before the Senate Committee where I congratulated and thanked them for their very comprehensive and thoughtful report, and committed to moving ahead.

The most significant recommendation proposed by the Senate Committee was to introduce a federal aquaculture act that would clarify our government’s role in aquaculture and simplify the maze of federal and provincial regulations currently governing this sector.

As you know, Canada already has a robust regulatory regime governing aquaculture – but it is complex. There is a need to coordinate between federal agencies and provincial and territorial governments, and there is always room for improvement.

Our government shares your desire for a national legal framework that reduces the regulatory burden, enables growth and is more transparent.

I am pleased to report that my Department is already working with provinces to explore options for establishing legislation and a more coherent regulatory regime for aquaculture, including the development of a federal aquaculture act.

In the coming months, we will be working with our provincial and territorial partners, the Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers, Indigenous groups, the science community as well as with industry members like you to determine where and how legislative reforms can be made.

One of the primary goals of such reform is to satisfy industry’s request for more business certainty, which will help enable growth and generate new investments. For example, a federal aquaculture act could help support provinces and territories in achieving expansion targets and attracting new investments.

Another goal of this work is to ensure that the highest standards for environmental protection are being met. And we need to entrench more transparent national reporting.

An issue as complex as this requires extensive analysis and consultations, which will take time and effort. Our work will include everything from clearly defining federal-provincial-territorial responsibilities to consulting with Indigenous groups and a wide range of stakeholders including many of you in this room today. I do recognize that much work has already been done to consider these issues by CAIA and others.

We all know that the sustainable growth of this sector is not just contingent on having the right legislative and regulatory processes in place. It also requires strong scientific research and oversight. That is why I am directing more funding towards scientific research related to this sector.

For example, my Department will be conducting more research on how aquaculture potentially affects ecosystems and wild species. This research will focus on increased coastal monitoring, the development of mitigation techniques and increasing diagnostic testing for pathogens and diseases in both farmed and wild fish.

Furthermore, in Budget 2016 our government committed more than $1 billion over four years to support clean technology in the natural resources sector, including fisheries and aquaculture.

Over the last few months, my Department has worked closely with Natural Resources Canada in the development of a Strategy to Advance Clean Technology in Canada’s Natural Resource Sectors.  The aquaculture sector stands to benefit greatly from this initiative, which is still being finalized, through opportunities to enhance industry competitiveness in the global marketplace, as well as environmental sustainability. Your sector has also been a great source of innovation, including in the area of clean technology.

Our government is also working hard on behalf of commercial fishermen and aquaculturists to help gain more access to international markets.

We are especially excited about the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the European Union. Accessing this previously untapped market will help create jobs, strengthen economic relations and boost Canada's trade with the world’s second-largest market. I am confident that once CETA is fully implemented - and tariffs related to this sector have been reduced or eliminated - there will be more money in the pockets of Canadian seafood producers and aquaculturists, and more middle-class jobs will be created.

Our government firmly believes in the responsible, sustainable growth of this industry and are doing everything we can to help support it. This includes:

• Improving legislative and regulatory frameworks;
• Establishing the conditions for industry growth along with the highest environmental standards;
• Investing in scientific research to support these objectives;
• Creating opportunities to advance clean technology solutions for development in the aquaculture sector; and,
• Opening up new international markets so more of Canada’s farmed fish and seafood can be found on dinner plates around the world.

From an industry perspective, I know you are committed to evolving, innovating and seizing the opportunities before you so aquaculture can grow in an economically prosperous, environmentally sustainable and socially responsible way.

I am confident that by working together we can – and will – see Canada’s aquaculture sector reach its full potential. I also have no doubt that, as a leading seafood nation, we will become an even more important global player with respect to future food production.

Before concluding I want to wish each of you a successful and productive conference. You have much to be proud of and many reasons to be optimistic about the future.

I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead.

Thank you.

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