Ottawa, ON, May 4, 2023 - National agricultural and food associations across Canada are united in calling for the federal government to support BC salmon farmers as an integral and growing part of Canadian food production. A joint letter has been addressed to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, opposition leaders, various relevant federal ministers and all provincial premiers calling for support.
Federal Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray is very soon expected to present options for the B.C. salmon farm transition framework to the federal cabinet.
Government decisions have shut down 40% of salmon farms in B.C. since 2020, making groceries more expensive for Canadian families, increasing carbon emissions and wiping out jobs that are the lifeblood of rural, coastal and Indigenous communities.
These shutdowns were not based on science but on politics and claims by activists that salmon farms are harming wild salmon, which has been proven false through rigorous peer-review science evaluation processes under the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
Simply put, we need to grow more food in this country to feed Canadians and the world and continue to grow it better. Grounded in evidence-based policy, it is Canada’s obligation to deliver the best, sustainable, high-quality and affordable food to Canadians, while also growing jobs, driving economic growth and supplying this food to the world.
Signatories to the joint letter include: Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance, Canadian Aquaculture Suppliers Association, Canadian Federation of Agriculture, Canada Grains Council, Canadian Meat Council, Canola Council of Canada, Coalition of First Nations for Finfish Stewardship, and CropLife Canada.
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