C1 - Key domestic partners and stakeholders

Provinces and Territories (P/T)

• Jurisdiction over fisheries, habitat, and ocean space is complex and sometimes shared
• Bilateral relationships linked to geography and jurisdiction (e.g., inland vs coastal)
• Collaborative mechanisms in place to deliver on shared priorities (i.e., fish funds, species at risk funds)

Key Partners

• Canadian Council of Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (CCFAM) – represents all jurisdictions
• Eastern Fisheries and Aquaculture Ministers (EFAM) is ad hoc – represents NB, NS, NL, PEI, QC

Organizational Context

• Federal jurisdiction (marine waters and habitat)
• P/T jurisdiction (inland fisheries, land and water use decisions)
• Established bilateral mechanisms, MOUs, etc

Priorities

• Domestic and international trade
• Canada-US relations, impacts of tariffs
• Economic growth and prosperity
• Fisheries Funds (i.e., Atlantic, QC, and BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation)
• Aquatic invasive species
• Species at risk
• Aquaculture
• Climate change
• Enforcement of illegal fishing, unreported cash sales
• Inland and recreational fishing
• Council of the Federation (CoF) position on Joint Management

Indigenous Peoples and Communities

First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities and peoples across Canada

• Active and comprehensive relationship with Indigenous groups across the country
• Relationship is evolving through our approach to reconciliation
• Fisheries and marine issues central to many treaty and negotiating tables

Key Partners

• National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs)
  • Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Métis National Council (MNC), Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK)
• First Nations and rights holding groups, aggregate bodies
• Issue-specific Indigenous organizations (e.g., National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk)

Organizational Context

• Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms with NIOs
• Multilateral (including NIO contributions)
• Over 80 negotiating tables across Canada
• Indigenous entities (over 200) funded through programming
• Wildlife Management Boards

Priorities

• More access to fish for food, social, and ceremonial (FSC) purposes; commercial purposes; and aquaculture opportunities
• Flexibility to choose how and when to fish
• Means with which to harvest, add value, grow, and diversify economically
• Greater self-determination and self-government in their traditional territories and waters through joint or shared decision-making and recognition of Indigenous laws
• Greater roles in fisheries, oceans, aquatic habitat, and marine waterways management activities

Fishing and Aquaculture Industries

• Fisheries and aquaculture stakeholders vary widely in size and degree of organization
• Organized through national, regional, and community-level associations
• Local fishing associations highly integrated in our fisheries management processes

Key Stakeholders

• Canadian Independent Fishers Harvesters Federation
• Fisheries Council of Canada
• Association of Professional Fishermen from Southern Gaspésie, Maritime Fishermen’s Union, B.C Seafood Alliance, Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association, Fish Food & Allied Workers
• Community associations (e.g., Grand Manan, NB)
• Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA)

Organizational Context

• East-coast fishery: defined by smaller independent operators, many associations as well as a vertically integrated offshore sector with significant Indigenous ownership
• West-coast fishery: typically, highly concentrated, vertically integrated (fewer players)
• Aquaculture: one national industry association; provincial role

Priorities

• Chinese and U.S. Trade Relations – risks associated with increasing trade barriers with largest trading partners
• Fisheries – access and allocation decisions; finite resources, fully subscribed
• Oceans – marine conservation; balancing environmental and economic interests
• Aquaculture – enabling sector growth and social licence with legislative/regulatory certainty
  

ENGOS

• Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) advocate for fisheries sustainability, conservation and environmental protection
• Emphasis on addressing regulatory gaps, science, restoration, and public outreach
• Can also be partners in delivery (e.g., Pacific Salmon Foundation, Atlantic Salmon Federation)

Key Stakeholders

• Oceana Canada and Oceans North
• Ocean Networks Canada
• World Wildlife Fund Canada
• Canadian Wildlife Federation
• Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society

Organizational Context

• Largely organized at the national-level in environmental and science/research portfolios
• Several active regional organizations on both coasts (i.e., fisheries, habitat, restoration)

Priorities

• Legislative agenda (Fisheries Act, Oceans Act, Species at Risk Act)
• Marine conservation targets (oceans agenda)
• Clean oceans, freshwater ecosystems
• Protection for and rebuilding of aquatic species at risk
• Fisheries habitat restoration
• Robust science and research programs
• Sustainable fisheries management

Resource Industries

• Advocate for responsible growth of resource-based industries
• Balancing economic competitiveness with environmental protection and constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples
• Highly engaged in our legislative and regulatory agenda (i.e., Fisheries Act)

Key Stakeholders

• Canadian Electricity Association
• Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers
• Mining Association of Canada
• Canadian Hydropower Association

Organizational Context

• Largely organized at the national-level
• Represent industry-wide interests in environmental, natural resource portfolios
• Bilateral mechanisms (memoranda of understanding) in place

Priorities

• Regulatory efficiency (certainty and timely approval)
• Fisheries Act implementation
• DFO's Red Tape Review Report
• Supporting implementation of the Building Canada Act and the Major Projects Office
• Impact Assessment Act
• Offshore oil and gas development
• Marine conservation regime
• Mutually beneficial Indigenous partnerships
• Uphold environmental protections