Stan Proboszcz
During the election it was thrilling, if a bit surreal, to see three major political parties campaign on removing salmon farms. It was only a year and a half ago that I was standing on a fishing boat on a trailer in downtown Courtenay, speaking to about 100 sign-wielding supporters enraged at factory fish farms. At that time, we were trying to get the provincial government’s attention, because they’re responsible for issuing the provincial part of fish farm licences. Shortly after, they made an unprecedented announcement requiring the industry to get First Nations’ consent to operate in their territories. After that success, we refocused our efforts on the federal government who hold the bulk of the power when it comes to fish farms, and prepared ourselves for a long haul.
Now, thanks to the efforts of the many dedicated individuals and organizations, we are finally getting somewhere at the federal level. In the lead-up to the federal election, our supporters alone sent over 5,500 emails to election candidates urging them to remove fish farms from B.C. waters! And the politicians heard us loud and clear. Wild salmon supporters across B.C. and Canada deserve a pat on the back for making the removal of fish farms from coastal waters an election issue. Nice work!
But our job isn’t done. With the election of a minority Liberal government, and the balance of power being held by the NDP, Bloc and Green parties, with the Conservatives in opposition, we need to continue pressuring the federal government to keep their campaign promise to get open-net salmon farms out of B.C. waters by 2025. We also can’t let them forget their promises to implement the Cohen Inquiry recommendations, which call for the removal of fish farms by next September in the Discovery Islands, near Campbell River.
This election has provided us with a big opportunity, and we must make sure it isn’t stolen back by the industry’s slick lobbying and PR machine. While industry steps up its advertising and lobbying, we are mobilizing citizens to demand the government follows through on those election promises, supporting First Nations who are fighting the federal government in court and continuing to hold this dirty industry to account. We’ve also rallied partner NGOs to pen a letter to the Prime Minister, urging him to restate his commitments in the upcoming mandate letter to the Minister of Fisheries. If we all pull together, we can finally get the salmon farms, and their parasites and viruses, away from our wild fish for good.
Hello Stan! I was in Comox Signless about a year and a half ago and listened and appreciated listening to yourself and Alexandra. Thank you for getting the attention you have. I am grateful that Gord Johns is our MP again and I believe someone who gets attention for us way out west. FYI we are in the let’s meet and discuss phase of hosting a Salmon Related film here in Oceanside.
Thanks Judith!
Europeans have already began boycotting purchasing farmed salmon. Yes we can continue to pressure government at all levels, yet when it comes down to the PM making a solid commitment at this point early in the forming of a minority government will fall on deaf ears. Exposing the Lobbyists and where the lobby funds are lining the pockets or the channels the lobbyists are filtering through will keep the politicians feet to the fire. The scary end scenario is that once these fish farm operation get shutdown in BC waters they will just pull up anchor and sail off to a location with less environmental concerns. This is where the UN could be helpful in eliminating these open water operations completely.
Hi Dave, perhaps. Though I’m not sure where B.C.’s industry would go. Alaska doesn’t want farms and Washington State has plans to remove their fish farms.