A new Conservative government would engage new strategies, partnerships and provide funding to support critical industry

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Campbell River, BC – Shelley Downey, Conservative Candidate for North Island – Powell River, today spoke to local fishers and aquaculture workers about Andrew Scheer’s plan to promote and support Canada’s fisheries by adopting new strategies and partnerships to strengthen relationships and build consensus on how to restore fish stocks.

 

“Justin Trudeau likes to talk about environmental action, but really, he is not as advertised,” said Downey. “Justin Trudeau has failed to work with those whose livelihoods depend on local fisheries and has directly attacked the livelihoods of fish farmers and their families. This lack of engagement has had a real impact on our coastal communities.”

 

To renew engagement and consultation to support our fisheries, a new Conservative government will:

 

·       Create advisory panels with Indigenous groups, fish harvesters and anglers, and other experts as appropriate, to rebuild critical stocks and ensure that everyone is working together.

·       Enhance and rebuild wild Atlantic and Pacific salmon stocks by increasing support for community-led conservation and enhancement projects and increasing the price of the Salmon Conservation Stamp for non-residents to benefit the Pacific Salmon Foundation.

·       Complete new recovery plans for all of Canada’s critical fisheries and develop strategies for managing predators and invasive species where necessary.

·       Repeal measures that bypass community consultations for Marine Protected Areas while ensuring that the process is robust and timely. Justin Trudeau’s changes have short circuited important community consultations for Marine Protected Areas.

·       Work with industry to develop a strategy for preventing seafood fraud.

·       Create a modern aquaculture act.

·       Support the advancement of technology and practices that reduce contact between wild and farmed salmon.

·       Provide $250 million in additional support for small craft harbours

 

Downey condemned Justin Trudeau’s plan to force salmon farms to move to closed containment systems by 2025.  “The aquaculture industry is already actively working to reduce risks to wild salmon.  What the Liberals have proposed sets an impossible timeline that will kill thousands of jobs, and is simply not grounded in science.  Our approach will ensure that the industry must meet tougher standards and continue to improve their technology and practices, but will also allow it to grow once we can be confident that potential risks are fully mitigated.”

 

Supporting our fisheries and aquaculture sectors is also an important part of A Real Plan to Protect Our Environment. As part of our efforts to combat oceans plastic, a new Conservative government will work with international partners to reduce the prevalence of “ghost gear”, or abandoned and lost gear, which entangles marine wildlife and contributes to the world’s oceans’ plastic problem. We will work to protect our oceans against one of the deadliest forms of marine litter.

 

“A new Conservative government will support our fishing and aquaculture industries to ensure our local communities and economies continue to thrive,” said Downey. “These are necessary measures – strategies, partnerships, and funding – to make sure this critical industry continues to thrive.”

 

Andrew Scheer, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives: “Justin Trudeau is not as advertised. This election, Canadians have a choice. Between the poor judgement of Justin Trudeau, and a new, positive Conservative government that will take immediate action to give you more help at home.”