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Prime Minister Chrétien and Premier Clark Announce Agreement on Salmon Conservation, Management
April 16, 1997
Ottawa, Ontario
Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Premier Glen Clark today signed an agreement
on Pacific salmon fisheries designed to create a new partnership between
Canada and B.C. in conserving and managing the resource.
Highlights of the agreement include:
- establishment of a Canada-B.C. Council of Ministers to coordinate
major
salmon resource and habitat issues;
- establishment of a Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council
of
stakeholders to advise both governments on salmon conservation issues;
- creation of a Fisheries Renewal Advisory Board, including stakeholders
and community groups, to improve coordination on habitat restoration and
enhancement initiatives;
- funding of $15 million from each government over three years for habitat
restoration; and
- a commitment by both governments to work cooperatively to reduce overlap
and duplication and improve efficiency on all areas of service.
The Prime Minister stated that, "Today's agreement marks a new era of
federal-provincial cooperation from which British Columbians can only benefit.
Our two governments
have found new and innovative ways to do a better job of protecting an
important resource and helping a major sector of the B.C. economy. Through
the mechanisms we are putting in place our governments, the salmon industry
and the stakeholders can now concentrate on working together. A few weeks
ago the Premier and I announced we had resolved the B.C. Residency dispute
and long standing immigration issues. Together these actions show how
much we can accomplish in Canada when we work together with goodwill and
a common purpose."
"This is an historic day for British Columbians," said Premier Clark,
"because
for the first time we are taking a full role in the conservation and management
of our Pacific salmon fisheries. The salmon are really a symbol of our
province's great natural resources and hold the potential, if properly
conserved, of generating new jobs and economic opportunities on our coast.
This agreement gives those closest to the resource a voice in conservation,
management and, most importantly, enhancement and protection of our stocks.
It is more proof that cooperation between our two levels of government
can bring real gains for us all."
The Canada-British Columbia Council of Ministers, consisting of the federal
and provincial fisheries ministers, will meet at least twice a year to
review and coordinate major initiatives related to the management of the
salmon resource and its habitat. Among its initial tasks, the Council
will oversee stakeholder consultations to put in place a Pacific Fisheries
Resource Conservation Council, and consider the results of consultations
taking place this fall on licensing and allocation policy.
The agreement signed today is a culmination of work begun last July when
the Governments of Canada and B.C. agreed, through a Memorandum of Understanding,
to a tripartite review of the Pacific Salmon Revitalisation Strategy and
a parallel review of roles and responsibilities in the management of the
Pacific Salmon fishery. The agreement builds innovative mechanisms for
cooperation and coordination while respecting each government's jurisdictional
responsibilities.
Copies of the Canada-British Columbia agreement are available on the
automated
Fax-On-Demand service of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. It is
immediately retrievable -- to users with a touchtone phone and a fax machine
-- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To retrieve, dial 1-416-362-1447 and follow the voice prompts.
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PMO Press Office: (613)957-5555
Premier's Office:
Geoff Meggs (250) 387-1718
Jean Wolff (250) 812-2849
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