BC Salmon farmers welcome fisheries minister announcement

Mark Carney was sworn in as the new Liberal prime minister in March, following the resignation of his predecessor, and he appointed Thompson as Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard.

Boosted by President Trump’s verbal attacks on Canada, his party won the general election two weeks ago when just a few weeks earlier it had been expected to lose heavily. Thompson has retained her post in what Carney called a “smaller, more focused” cabinet.

During the campaign Carney did not specifically mention the ban, but he spoke in broad terms about aquaculture describing it as one of several sustainable sectors that make up the "backbone" of Canada’s economy.

Meanwhile, the BC Salmon Farmers Association said it was encouraged by Joanne Thompson’s continuation as Fisheries Minister.

It said: “Under the previous government, our sector faced significant uncertainty, which resulted in a 45% decline in production.

“Today’s announcement marks a positive step forward in Prime Minister Carney’s focus on driving economic development.

“BC’s salmon farming sector produces a vital, affordable, low-carbon protein source, contributing $1.17 billion in annual economic output, and supports 4,560 full-time jobs.

“Many of these jobs are in coastal communities on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.”

It has called on the new government for a revised policy direction developed “in true partnership with Rights Holder First Nations”

The Association added: “If a clear signal is provided that there is a future for salmon farming in BC, including rescinding the ban on marine net pens by 2029, our sector stands ready to invest, innovate, and grow, while continuing to respect the lands and waters where we operate.”