BC First Nations’ Coalition released an open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau in support of a positive future for salmon farming in their traditional coastal territories:
Dear Prime Minister,
We understand your government is finalizing discussions regarding the future of salmon farming in our traditional territories in BC, including the introduction of a responsible, realistic, and achievable Transition Plan and the re-issuance of licences that will support certainty in the sector that is so critical to our social and economic well-being.
Our Nations have been working closely with DFO Minister Lebouthillier to ensure that this transition process respects First Nations rights, title, self-determination, economic autonomy, and our strength of claim regarding salmon farming in our waters.
As you know, 100 per cent of BC farmed salmon is raised in partnership with coastal First Nations. The sector supports over 500 jobs for local First Nations and injects over $50 million a year into our communities. The direct influence this has on the social health and economies of our communities cannot be emphasized enough.
We believe that you, Prime Minister, and Minister Lebouthillier can support our communities by working with us to create a path forward for BC salmon farming that supports and enhances:
Indigenous oversight, stewardship, and science,
Economic reconciliation & diversification
Food affordability & security
Indigenous participation in the Blue Economy
Wild Pacific salmon revitalization
Trust and transparency
Social and economic health for remote coastal communities
Good middle-class jobs
Global investment dollars into BC (technology, innovation)
We can achieve this together and ensure that this transition process is responsible, science-based, and built with Rightsholder First Nations at the table. Our Nations have proposed our own transition plans that will help accomplish these objectives for our communities and for your government. With those plans before you, you have an opportunity to show Canada what true reconciliation looks like while also supporting economic opportunities for coastal communities.
Our Nations have already been on this transition path with DFO for nearly two years. We invite you, Prime Minister, to officially join us on this path by making your first step forward a six-year licence reissuance for the salmon farms in our territories so that the sector stays in our communities, and so that our Nations can thrive in increasingly trying times.
We also invite you and Premier Eby to participate with us in a G2G2G Transition Plan implementation review in 2025 to ensure this process and mandate has been met responsibly.
Thank you.
Dallas Smith on behalf the coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship
