Port Hardy council wasn’t too thrilled by North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney’s letter to the new Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.
The letter to the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier was included in council’s Sept. 26 meeting agenda, where Blaney wrote that she represents a region that “relies heavily on fisheries for economic prosperity.”
“As I am sure you are aware, the government has decided to remove fish farms from the water,” she continued, noting this decision will “directly affect people and businesses in my riding. Since the decision was made, I have spoken to many stakeholders, including the local union representatives, impacted communities, First Nations, and small businesses, all of whom expressed concerns about their future and the need for a transition plan.”
According to Blaney’s letter, following her discussions with the groups she had previously listed, she “repeatedly asked your colleague, Minister [Joyce] Murray for a clear and transparent transition plan to move fish farms from water to land. Back in 2019, the prime minister mandated that the government would work with local stakeholders to create such a transition plan, yet as of now there still has not been a plan communicated to us, nor has there been any movement in the way of an open process that alleviates the anxieties of local stakeholders.”
Blaney stated it was back in 2020 when the Liberal government announced it would phase out fish farms by 2022.
“We are now halfway through 2023 and the deadline has been moved back to 2025,” confirmed Blaney in her letter. “The people in my riding are frustrated by the uncertainty this delay has caused, given that there is still so little communication about the transition. They want to know that you will stop delaying and take action. The government needs to follow through on its commitment to remove the fish farms from the water.”
Blaney then listed bullet points she would like the new fisheries minister to follow through on:
Develop a strong and thorough transition plan/jobs plan that encompasses stakeholder consultation;
Provide a timeline for the plan that holds firm on the 2025 deadline;
Establish an office in highly impacted communities to assist workers in finding;
Alternate jobs in their areas, including staff that can identify employment and training opportunities for those who have lost their jobs;
Use money from the $649 million Pacific Salmon Strategy towards regions and communities impacted by the changeover in fish farms, as moving fish farms to land would meet the strategy’s mandate to restore wild salmon;
Acknowledge and work with the First Nations who have developed positive relationships with the industry; and
Ensure that the people of her riding will not be forgotten as the fish farm relocation process is undertaken.
“While I respect the government’s decision regarding fish farms, I am frustrated that there has been little communication from the government regarding the transition plan,” she wrote, adding that she’s also spoken with roe herring fishermen in her riding to discuss “the current high cost of licence fees, which I understand are set at $4,000 while their fishing quota has been reduced from 20 per cent to 10 per cent. I recognize the importance of protecting vulnerable ecosystems; however, it is also critical that any decisions, fees, and quotas be determined thoughtfully and with a clear explanation of the factors considered.”
Blaney then requested an explanation for the decisions to set the quota at 10 per cent and the licence fees at $4,000.
“Compounding the issue of the high cost of licence fees is the lack of limits on foreign ownership of commercial fishing licences and quotas in the Pacific Region,” she wrote. “As I and my fellow NDP colleagues brought up in previous letters to Minister Murray, the government has continued to jeopardize the livelihoods of Canadian workers and the sustainability of our fisheries with the continued sale of our fisheries to foreign businesses.”
“The people of the Pacific Region deserve the same consideration as their counterparts in the Maritimes. Please recognize these important concerns and ban the transfer of Canadian commercial fishing licences and quotas to foreign owners or foreign beneficial interests.”
Finally, Blaney stated she has met with David Mills of Watershed Watch and SkeenaWild Conservation Trust, who raised the alarm about the significant impact Alaska interception fisheries have had on communities across British Columbia.
“As I understand it, last year the Alaskan fleet in the Southeast took more Canadian salmon than our entire marine salmon harvest. According to reports, the 2.2 million Canadian salmon intercepted by Alaska cost our economy $100 million. Commercial fisheries, communities, and First Nations who are working to restore their fishing rights, are all deeply impacted by the Alaska interception fisheries.
“I agree with David Mills that the $649 million investment in Pacific salmon will not pay off if those salmon end up in Alaska’s nets. Unfortunately, this is exactly what is happening all too frequently. Please let me know whether the federal government is doing anything to compel Alaska to negotiate its actions regarding salmon interception, so that BC stocks are protected.”
Blaney concluded her letter by writing that “many people in my riding and in ridings across British Columbia rely on fisheries to sustain their economy. They deserve to have their voices heard.”
Coun. Janet Dorward was the first to speak, noting how Blaney’s words about removing fish farms from the ocean were completely misstated, but that she did actually bring up some good points that need to be followed through on to help the commercial fishing industry.
“I thought we could also write a letter to [the fisheries minister] welcoming her to her new position and let her know what’s really going on,” said Dorward. “I think we could get some help from those in the industry to write a good letter, and I think we should do it with due diligence.”
Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt asked if that was a motion, which Dorward confirmed it was.
Coun. John Tidbury then seconded Dorward’s motion to write a letter to the fisheries minister in support of the aquaculture industry.
Coun. Fred Robertson spoke up after that, stating that Blaney’s letter showed a certain point of view that he feels isn’t supported by “perhaps a lot of science and facts that are out there.”
He then said he completely agrees with the motion to send a letter, but they need to “send it with alacrity,” and they need to “send it very soon.”
Robertson added they should also gather support from other communities from Campbell River all the way north to go along with the letter.
Port Hardy council voted in favour of Dorward’s request to send a letter to Lebouthillier in support of the aquaculture industry.