Government of Canada seeking further views from Canadians on protecting fish and fish habitat

OTTAWA, July 25, 2017 /CNW/ - Healthy fish and fish habitat are a key part of Canada's livelihood. From the food we eat to the coastal waters we enjoy, ensuring the right protections are in place will help safeguard the health of our fish and the habitat they live in for generations to come.

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced the launch of the second phase of Let's Talk Fish Habitat, an online public consultation to seek Canadians' views on recent changes to the Fisheries Act.

In the first phase of this consultation, Canadians provided Fisheries and Oceans Canada with clear recommendations. They identified lost protections they want to see restored to the Fisheries Act and also shared their views on which modern approaches should be taken to better protect fish and fish habitat.

We are seeking Canadians' views once again on potential program and policy changes for a revised Fisheries Act. We are also seeking feedback on how to best proceed in order to achieve some of the goals identified in the first phase of consultation. 

This online public consultation is part of the Government of Canada's Review of Environmental and Regulatory Processes.

Quotes
"Our government is committed to the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat, and to the sustainability of our fisheries. During the first phase of consultations, Canadians identified lost protections they want to see restored in a revised Fisheries Act, and shared their views on modern approaches to better protect fish and fish habitat. As we move forward with this second phase of consultations, I look forward to hearing from Canadians on how to best proceed to ensure that our aquatic resources are protected for future generations."

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Quick Facts

• The Fisheries Act gives the government the powers to manage Canadian fisheries and to protect the habitat that supports them. It is an essential tool to conserving the sustainability of our fisheries.
• Gaining royal assent in 1868, the Fisheries Act is one of Canada's oldest pieces of federal legislation. It was most recently amended in 2012.
• Phase II is informed by the first phase of the consultation and narrows its focus to aspects identified as important to Canadians in the first phase.

Associated Links

www.letstalkfishhabitat.ca

Summary report of Fisheries and Oceans Canada phase 1 public engagement

What we heard from Indigenous groups and resource management boards

Internet: http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

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SOURCE Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canada