Canada farmers seek ‘strong partnership’ with minister

Jordan is part of a new cabinet named by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week following October’s general election.

The Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA) chief executive, Tim Kennedy, said: “Canadian farm-raised seafood is a global leader in sustainable food production. Our farmed seafood is a climate solution as the world demands more low-carbon protein, and we are leaders in partnering with First Nations across Canada and delivering innovative and inspiring jobs in remote, coastal communities across Canada.

Economic driver

“Seafood farming is a key driver of economic growth in Canadian rural, coastal and indigenous communities, and is the fastest growing food production sector globally. We look forward to working to develop a strong partnership with Minister Jordan to help Canada’s aquaculture sector thrive.

“We would also like to welcome all new Members of Parliament and those returning. We look forward to working with them to help raise the profile of Canadian farmed seafood and generate greater awareness regarding the critical role this sector plays for coastal communities and global food supply.”

Closed containment

One issue that might make a strong partnership difficult to achieve is the ruling Liberal Party’s manifesto pledge to work with the British Columbia government “to develop a responsible plan to transition from open net pen salmon farming in coastal waters to closed containment systems by 2025”.

When that promise was made in early October it was condemned as highly irresponsible by the CAIA and its regional counterparts.

“This is a reckless policy, not grounded in science, and it will threaten good middle-class jobs across Canada,” said Kennedy at the time.

Although Trudeau’s Liberals retained power in the election, they lost seats and now run a minority government, which might make it harder for the party to fulfil its promises.

Cermaq in constituency

Jordan is the MP for South Shore-St Margaret’s on the eastern side of Nova Scotia, where salmon farmer Cermaq was last month granted two options for lease to add to the four options it already has in other areas of the province.

Cermaq, which farms in British Columbia, is looking to expand into Atlantic Canada but wants to ensure it has local support, feasible sites and adequate volume before going ahead. The company, owned by Japanese multinational Mitsubishi, says it needs to identify enough sites to support 20,000 tonnes of production annually.

Former fisheries and oceans minister Jonathan Wilkinson has been appointed minister of environment and climate change.