The Government of Canada partners with provinces and territories to invest in Canada’s fish and seafood sector

From: Fisheries and Oceans Canada

News release

Ottawa, ON — Canada’s high quality, sustainable fish and seafood products are known worldwide. Canada and the provinces and territories are expanding markets, building on Canada’s strong international brand and growing trade opportunities under the CUSMA, CETA, CPTPP trade agreements. Canada is now the only G7 country to have free trade agreements with all other G7 countries, and we have preferential access to almost two-thirds of the global economy. 

And further, with the new 2018 Fall Economic Statement, we are taking the next step and launching an Export Diversification Strategy to increase Canada’s overseas exports by 50%.

Today, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, is joining provincial and territorial partners to announce the launch the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund, a new cost-shared fund (70% federal and 30% provincial/territorial) to promote market access and development for the fish and seafood industry. The fund will enable provinces and territories to support their industries’ priority projects and help Canadians working in the fish and seafood sector by creating jobs and developing more opportunities for Canadian products. 

The $42.85 million program will support the fish and seafood sectors in all participating provinces and territories by encouraging industry collaboration to promote high quality products. The Government of Canada will continue to work with its provincial and territorial partners to develop industry partnerships, and will engage stakeholders to help shape the program and identify ongoing priority areas for investments in Canada over the life of the program.


The Fund is now open for business and is accepting Expressions of Interest from potential project proponents. Further details on the Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund are available at: www.canadafisheriesfunds.ca

Quotes

“There is little doubt that Canada is recognized the world over for our sustainably-sourced, high quality fish and seafood. The Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund will foster increased industry collaboration and support further promotion of Canada’s fish and seafood sector as we continue to deliver on meeting the growing demand for our world-class products. This will boost our economy and increase employment opportunities for middle class Canadians across the country.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard 

Quick facts

  • The Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund will have an agreed 70% federal, 30% provincial-territorial cost-sharing ratio for each project.

  • The value of Canada’s fish and seafood exports reached $6.9 billion in 2017.

  • Canada exported fish and seafood products to 137 countries last year.

  • Canada’s largest exports by value in 2017 were lobster, snow/queen crab, farmed Atlantic salmon, and shrimp.

Associated links

Contacts

Jocelyn Lubczuk
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans
and the Canadian Coast Guard
343-548-7863
Jocelyn.lubczuk@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada 
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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