By Canadian Press

B.C. premier raises concerns to prime minister about job impact of fish farm closures

Mar 16, 2022 | 3:33 PM

VICTORIA — British Columbia Premier John Horgan has written a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau saying federal salmon farm transition plans threaten hundreds of jobs and the economies of coastal communities.

Horgan’s letter urges Trudeau to assure the salmon farming sector that the federal government will implement a transition program that considers the interests of the industry and its workers.

It says Trudeau’s mandate letter for Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray calls for the development of a transition plan from open net-pen salmon farming by 2025, which coincides with her ministry’s upcoming decisions to renew many fish farm licences and tenures in coastal B.C. waters. 

The premier’s letter says there is widespread concern in coastal communities the federal government will eliminate many and possibly all coastal salmon farming licences.

Murray was not immediately available for comment, but a ministry official said a statement was expected Wednesday afternoon.

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Bob Chamberlin, First Nation Wild Salmon Alliance chair, says in a statement more than 100 B.C. First Nations support the federal government’s plan to transition away from open-net salmon farms by 2025 and called on Murray to “stay the course.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 16, 2022.

The Canadian Press