BC Salmon farmers warn of government threat to Canadian industry
A newly released report from the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) has revealed growing imbalance in Canada’s food system.
It says that while demand for farm-raised salmon remains strong, production in British Columbia (BC), which has traditionally led salmon production in Canada, had declined significantly, thus driving a surge in imports.
Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association.
Since 2015, farm-raised salmon production in BC has fallen by more than 40%. Over the same period, Canada’s salmon imports have more than doubled, reaching approximately CA $700 million annually.
Much of this growth has come from increased imports of salmon from countries such as Chile and Norway as Canada turns to international suppliers to meet demand that could be fulfilled locally.
Brian Kingzett, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Farmers Association, said: “Salmon remains Canada’s most consumed seafood.
“The data clearly shows demand is strong. With long-term regulatory certainty, Canada has a real opportunity to produce more of this food at home.”
Canadian-raised salmon is a climate-friendly source of protein and a significant contributor to the national economy, maintains the BC association.
The province sector currently supports more than 4,000 families and generates $1.2 billion in annual economic output, with the most significant impacts felt on Vancouver Island and in the Lower Mainland.
It argues that increasing reliance on imported salmon also carries broader implications for food security, economic resilience, and climate policy, as imported salmon typically travels longer distances by ship or air, resulting in higher greenhouse gas emissions compared to locally produced Canadian salmon.
With renewed regulatory certainty and improved investment confidence, the sector has the potential to generate up to $2.5 billion in annual economic output and approximately 9,000 jobs by 2030, and as much as $4.2 billion in annual output and more than 16,000 jobs by 2040.
“With the right framework in place, BC salmon farmers are ready to support Canada’s food system and help build a stronger Canada,” said Kingzett.
Timothy Kennedy, president and CEO of the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, said that Canada’s aquaculture production is a national economic treasure, but it has been seriously weakened by irresponsible government policies.
“Once a world leader in seafood, Canada now underperforms against global competitors, jeopardising Canada’s independence and food security at this time of increasing global tensions,” he added.
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