In September 2017, the Coastal Environmental Baseline Program was launched as part of the national Oceans Protection Plan. The Program provides $50.8 million over five years to collect biological and oceanographic data to characterize the current state of six key coastal ecosystems in Canada. The coastal ecosystems were chosen for their high or potential for increasing vessel traffic and coastal development. These selected ecosystems are the Port of Vancouver, BC; Port of Prince Rupert, BC; St. Lawrence Estuary, QC; Port of Saint John, NB; Placentia Bay, NL; and Iqaluit, NU.
In September 2017, the Coastal Environmental Baseline Program was launched as part of the national Oceans Protection Plan. The Program provides $50.8 million over five years to collect biological and oceanographic data to characterize the current state of six key coastal ecosystems in Canada.
The role of the Federal Special Representative (FSR) is to facilitate open communication as a neutral third party with the aim to rebuild trust and cooperation among Indigenous and non-Indigenous fish harvesters. The FSR is a dedicated, neutral, and senior third-party official to whom both parties can direct their concerns.
Today, the Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, announced the appointment of Allister Surette as Federal Special Representative, a neutral third-party who will communicate with and rebuild trust between commercial and Indigenous fishers. Mr. Surette will gather the different perspectives on the issues, seek to build understanding, and make recommendations to the Ministers of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and of Crown-Indigenous Relations, as well as to the public, so parties can move forward toward a positive resolution.
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, the Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services will hold a press conference to speak to the situation in Nova Scotia.
The Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program has been extended by another two weeks to ensure that as many Canadian fish harvesters as possible can take advantage of it. The online portal will now close on October 19, 2020.
Vancouver, British Columbia – The Government of Canada understands that strong, collaborative relationships with Indigenous peoples regarding the management of the marine environment will lead to better outcomes for their communities and help support healthy oceans.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is dedicated to making decisions based on sound evidence and scientific advice. To inform a response to recommendation 19, the Department completed nine scientific peer-reviewed risk assessments to better understand the extent and impact of interactions between wild Pacific salmon and farmed salmon.
“We thank the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs for their leadership and for the open, respectful and constructive conversation today, where we affirmed what the Marshall Decision declared over 20 years ago – that Mi’kmaw have a constitutionally protected treaty right to fish in pursuit of a moderate livelihood.
