Organizations like the Prince Albert Grand Council and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan are working to buy the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, a federal Crown corporation that was put up for sale several years ago. (Image Credit: Susan McNeil/paNOW Staff)

By Susan McNeil

Economic reconciliation

Saskatchewan First Nations, Métis see opportunity in purchase of Freshwater Fish Marketing Corp.  

Mar 10, 2026 | 4:21 PM

Fish harvesters in Saskatchewan say they can supply a lot of northern fish to domestic and international markets and are taking steps to expand an industry that has been their livelihood for decades.  

Members of the Saskatchewan Co-operative Fishers Ltd. (SCFL) are meeting in Prince Albert March 10 and 11 to discuss their bid to be the new owners of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, a federal Crown corporation that was put up for sale several years ago.  

Joan Beatty of Deschambault Lake is a second-generation fish harvester and part of the technical committee that planned the bid after the federal government decided to sell it.  

“That’s our goal, to make an efficient productive company again that’s fisher-owned in Winnipeg so we have a place to sell,” she said. “When we got together here a couple of years ago last year as SCFL, I said we cannot quit. All of us said we cannot quit.”  

Joan Beatty’s mother was the first woman to hold a commercial fisher license in Deschambault Lake and passed it on to her daughter. The potential for market growth is good, according to Beatty. (Image Credit: Susan McNeil/paNOW)

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They got to work re-energizing their organization that was struggling since provincial changes years ago and put in a bid that has shown itself to be competitive. They also partnered with Métis Nation – Saskatchewan in a first of its kind partnership. 

“We’re one of the final bidders that got it because of the approach we used,” said Beatty. “It has to be local level fishers running it and having a say.” 

The SCFL represents about 40 Saskatchewan fishing cooperatives and was created for Saskatchewan fishers to meet and review their industry once per year. The co-operatives are spread across northern Saskatchewan.

Beatty’s father was one of the creators of the Ossey Fisher Co-op in Deschambault Lake, which maintains a facility in the community to this day.  

“We have a little fish plant there that makes sure our fish are good quality, because that’s number one. It has to be quality. And they pay for a semi to go all the way to the fish plant there.”  

The selling of the FFMC has been on the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ agenda for almost a decade. They began talking to harvesters and communities in 2017 about the future of the corporation and found that harvesters wanted more control over their industry. 

Beatty said they believe they may have the strongest bid but do not know for sure yes as some details are being finalized.  

It is important to her that the group continue in its work that unifies Indigenous and Métis in their common livelihood.  

“I think it’s crucial that for the first time we’re working together, we’re sharing information, we have a common goal, which is to sell good quality product to the world and there’s still a lot of markets out there that are not touched,” she said.  

In the meantime, Beatty said harvesters in Saskatchewan, especially those in the most remote areas of the province, have faced significant challenges getting their fish to Winnipeg, where the FFMC is based and where its plant is located.

A lack of roads makes timely and affordable transport difficult from places like Reindeer Lake, Wollaston Lake and Lake Athabasca. The fish need to be kept in a temperature-controlled environment which means hauling ice to the lake to store the newly caught fish and then hauling it all back for sale.  

The federal government received 12 bids for the FFFMC, including a company from Egypt, according to Beatty. That did not deter the Saskatchewan harvesters, however, who are hopeful that their history of using fish as a source of food and economic stability is recognized.  

“The future of the northern Saskatchewan fishery is vital to the livelihood and cultural sustainability of Indigenous people and other fish harvesters,” said John S. Beatty, president of SCFL. “The transformation of FFMC must ensure the fishery remains in the hands of the harvesters who depend on it.” 

The two days of meetings in Prince Albert are focused on discussing the future of the FFMC and its potential while also holding their annual general meeting.  

If they are successful, the group has plans in place to expand their products. For instance, some parts of the fish or non-marketable things like suckers were considered waste before but have potential to be used in pet food.  

“There’s a lot of market demand and that’s something people are saying,” Joan Beatty said. “You know, it’s hopefully down the road that we have our own processing plant maybe here in PA. That was always our dream.”  

For the fishers, the vast majority of whom are Indigenous and Métis, keeping the industry alive is more than just their income; it’s a way of life. 

Beatty’s mother was the first woman to be a commercial fisher in Deschambault Lake and she passed her license on to her daughter.  

“We need more women, we need more young people and that’s one of the things we identify, to have accredited training for young people.” 

Being a commercial fisher is a commitment in hard work and time, something the group is hoping they can convince younger people to embrace if they also see the benefits.  

“It’s a good life and it’s your own business and you can make money. And that’s what we want is for them to make money instead of subsidizing themselves.”

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On Bluesky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social