Get Ready To Vote and Shape Your Future
This is an important federal election for everyone involved in Aquaculture. Please make sure to get out and vote
GENERAL VOTING DAY – MAY 2, 2011 – 7:00am to 7:00pm
On Election Day, check your voter information card as to where to vote and the hours of the polling station. Visit www.elections.ca or call 1-800-463-6868 if you have not received the card, are not registered to vote, or to look up the address of the station.
Options are also available to vote by Special Ballot and vote by Mail.
For more information, go to the Elections Canada Website
What do your Vancouver Island North candidates say about salmon farming?
Quotes of interest:
John Duncan – Conservative Party of Canada:
Our Conservative party supports both traditional wild fisheries and a sustainable aquaculture industry, both of which are important to our coastal communities.
Our Conservative government has invested over $70 million to improve environmental monitoring and science and we support aquaculture that is strictly regulated and operating transparently.
A re-elected Conservative government will continue to work to support aquaculture that is strictly regulated and operating transparently.
Ronna-Rae Leonard, NDP:
For salmon aquaculture, New Democrats are committed to transitioning to closed containment systems
New Democrats introduced the Wild Salmon Protection Act last year that would see harmful fish farms move to safe closed containment.
None of that science supports open net fish farms as a sustainable practice
It is quite natural for people to be concerned about their jobs. … it is no wonder they are worried that a move to closed containment might affect the job they depend on to care for their families.
Mike Holland, Liberal:
I want a Liberal government to commit to the development and funding of closed-containment technology, and improve federal transparency into the science and economics of aquaculture.
The evidence that exposure to open-net farms could lead to mortality in wild salmon stocks is growing, and this must stop…the science questions must be settled so we can move forward.”
We need to take a science-based approach that objectively examines the impact of farming on the wild fishery, and be prepared to follow where the science takes us.
Sue Moen, Green Party:
As an MP, I will work with DFO, industry and workers to begin moving the open-net fish farms to land immediately
Note: Quotes of Interest were taken from the articles listed below:
Candidates offer synopsis on fish farming
Courier Islander, April 13, 2011
Question: Now that aquaculture jurisdiction has moved from Victoria to Ottawa, are you satisfied with the current state of fish farm regulations and enforcement?
If so, why? If not, what changes should be made?
John Duncan, Conservative:
“Our Conservative party supports both traditional wild fisheries and a sustainable aquaculture industry, both of which are important to our coastal communities. As of December 2010, regulatory oversight of the aquaculture sector was transferred to the federal government. There are strong rules that must be enforced fairly. It is very early to judge results of these new regulations or enforcement. Under the Fisheries Act, federal regulations will govern certain activities regarding the cultivation of fish in British Columbia. The province will continue to issue tenures where operations take place in either the marine or freshwater environment, licence marine plant cultivation, and manage business aspects of aquaculture such as work place health and safety. It will be important for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry that they follow the rules and find ways to innovate in order to maintain a social license to operate.”
Mike Holland, Liberal:
“The aquaculture industry is different from any industry that has been regulated by the federal government in the past, and trying to shoe-horn regulation and enforcement under existing systems and legislation is insufficient. I'd support the introduction of an aquaculture act which, in consultation with industry, environmental groups and other stakeholders, would develop a regulatory and enforcement regime for the aquaculture industry that makes sense. I also want a Liberal government to commit to the development and funding of closed-containment technology, and improve federal transparency into the science and economics of aquaculture.
Scientists should not be muzzled; we must push for and rely on sound science. But the science questions must be settled so we can move forward.”
Ronna-Rae Leonard, NDP:
“When the courts ruled that DFO could not off-load its aquaculture responsibilities to the province, there was a collective sigh of relief -- political pressure from the fish farm industry would no longer influence the decision-making process. Unfortunately, it opened the doors to paid lobbyists in Ottawa having more influence over fishery policy than local stakeholders.
Sound scientific research and development is the basis of good regulation. None of that science supports open net fish farms as a sustainable practice and there is no amount of enforcement that will ensure the protection of our wild salmon and all of our rich marine resources.
However, we need to support important aquaculture jobs during the transition to closed containment fish farms that will lead to a sustainable fish farm industry. We need to work towards a solution where fish farms and sustainable employment, can not only coexist, but thrive.
The real issue is why are all the decisions being taken in Ottawa where they are so regularly influenced by paid lobbyists rather than making the decisions locally by the people who are most affected by them. (We) need to talk about long-term sustainability of the resource while recognizing the importance of aquaculture jobs. Compare to the east coast fishery and the devastation caused by poor DFO policy there. There ain't no fish in Ottawa.”
Sue Moen, Green Party:
“I welcomed the reversion of fish farm oversight to DFO jurisdiction. It is becoming clear however, that the system is broken. Changes to the Fisheries Act have had the effect of changing DFO's focus to promotion of the aquaculture industry. Our government's mandate should be to make protection of critical stocks and habitat mandatory. DFO must return to ensuring equitable access to resources for citizens and communities in preference to industry. As an MP, I will work with DFO, industry and workers to begin moving the open-net fish farms to land immediately; to support implementation of more sustainable models that employ more people and contribute to local food security. Regulations must be strengthened to ensure disclosure of disease and waste management data. I will cooperate with other MPs regardless of party, to strengthen the Fisheries Act and restructure DFO into three separate branches: management, monitoring, enforcement and research.”
Vancouver Island North – Federal Candidates on Aquaculture
North Island Gazette, April 21, 2011
Question: How do you picture the aquaculture industry developing in the next decade?
Conservative candidate Duncan on aquaculture
In terms of aquaculture, our Conservative party believes in creating and supporting jobs in coastal communities. A re-elected Conservative government will continue to
work to support aquaculture that is strictly regulated and operating transparently.
Our Conservative Government has invested over $70 million to improve environmental monitoring and science.
The Province will remain a key player in aquaculture. It will continue to issue tenures where operations take place, in either the marine or freshwater environment, and manage business aspects of aquaculture such as work place health and safety within the province. It will be important for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry that they follow the rules and find ways to innovate and keep a social licence to farm fish in BC. Now and in the future.
Liberal candidate Holland on aquaculture
The aquaculture industry has the potential to be a key provider of much-needed jobs in North Island communities that desperately need an economic boost. But we must not imperil wild stocks, and all the industry and jobs that rely on the health of the fishery. The evidence that exposure to open-net farms could lead to mortality in wild salmon stocksis growing, and this must stop. I want a Liberal government to commit to the development and funding of closed-containment technology, and improve Federal transparency into the science and economics of aquaculture.
Scientists should not be muzzled; we must push for and rely on sound science. But the science questions must be settled so we can move forward
NDP candidate Leonard's position on aquaculture
The world is watching, to see which way BC and Canada goes. Will we move to closed containment and protect our wild salmon, or will we continue on with harmful open net fish farm practices? New Democrats introduced the Wild Salmon Protection Act last year that would see harmful fish farms move to safe closed containment. At the same time, we are committed to ensuring that we protect the employment that aquaculture provides. Through a considered transition process, this is entirely possible.
It is quite natural for people to be concerned about their jobs. While large corporations made out quite well under the Conservatives during the recession, middle-class families found themselves struggling. People on the North Island saw their traditional jobs evaporating before their eyes, so it is no wonder they are worried that a move to closed containment might affect the job they depend on to care for their families. The NDP will ensure that their jobs are protected while we quickly move towards a sustainable system so that they continue to have jobs for many years to come.
This election offers people an opportunity to send a strong message to those who will stand up for wild salmon and our amazing ocean ecosystem. The way to stand up for wild salmon and protect our coastline is to defeat conservatives and elect New Democrats.
Green Party candidate Moen on aquaculture
Fisheries management has two fundamental goals, both science-based: (1) protecting biodiversity and the ecological processes that underlie marine ecosystems and the fishery; and (2) managing commercial species through the precautionary approach. Management decisions will be based on these goals and not on regional employment or political considerations.
I would work to move open-net fish farms to land immediately. Although there is increasing proof that ocean-based closed-containment farms are economically viable, any concentrated animal feedlot operation (CAFO), on land or in the ocean, is eventually damaging to the environment and to animal and human health. I would support the owners and workers to implement more sustainable models on land that would employ as many or more people, contribute to local food security and develop waste management plans that could create other revenue streams.
Wastes from the open-net operations, along with other kinds of pollution, contaminate shellfish and thus affect the profit and jobs associated with that industry. Pollution also has adverse effects on the jobs in wilderness, eco- and other tourism and on First Nations and other fisheries.
Green Party of Canada policies to establish marine habitat reserves large enough to revive and sustain stocks of marine life of all species through their complete life cycles; to apply the precautionary principle; and to split the Department of Fisheries & Oceans into three distinct areas of responsibility (Management; Monitoring & Enforcement; & Research) will serve to ensure that all aquaculture operations serve all Canadians – safely, economically and through the generations.
Van Island North: Voting Microcosm of BC
By Crawford Kilian, 22 Apr 2011, TheTyee
If you're looking for a close fought, emblematic election battleground in British Columbia, you couldn't do much better than Vancouver Island North. At least one anti-Harper web site has named it a "key contest" where the Conservative is neck and neck with a New Democrat challenger.
And, in some ways, the riding of Vancouver Island North is a microcosm of B.C.: an economy based on fish, forests and mining; an urban south and a vast rural north; and an aging population. So the federal election here involves province-wide issues.
In the current election, Conservative John Duncan, who was Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in the last government, is campaigning for the seat he's held for most of the last 15 years.
According to Elections Canada, Vancouver Island North in 2008 had a population of 113,356 and 88,077 electors. Ballots cast totalled 56,879, for a voter turnout of 64.6 per cent.
The Liberals got 2,380 votes, 4.2 per cent of the total. Greens got 4,544 (eight per cent). The New Democrat, then-incumbent Catherine Bell, got 23,466 votes (41.4 per cent). Duncan won with 25,963 votes (45.8 per cent).
3. Where do you stand on the fish farms/wild salmon controversy?
Duncan: I believe that both salmon farming and wild salmon are important to our coastal communities. Creating and supporting jobs in small and remote coastal communities is a challenge and the aquaculture sector has proven to be an important asset.
The wild salmon resource defines our coastal communities as well. The First Nations, recreational and commercial fisheries are culturally, nutritionally and economically important. Our Conservative government has invested over $70 million to improve environmental monitoring and science and we support aquaculture that is strictly regulated and operating transparently.
Holland: I'm not against aquaculture, but not at the expense of the environment. Fish farms provide 5,200 jobs in the riding. I support the Pacific Salmon Forum, including fallowing the fish farms in the Broughton Archipelago. I'm not suggesting closing open-containment farms.
Leonard: The NDP is for closed containment. We want to transition to that. We're not seeing regulation to protect the marine environment and resources, so we could have both open-net farms and closed containment. We need independent study of the issue, and open, transparent science.
Moen: We should operate on the precautionary principle. Fish farms need to transition to land. Give them 10 years to make the change. And we should support the industry with DFO research.
Vancouver Island North candidates’ positions on aquaculture
Campbell River Mirror, April 26, 2011
The final week of the federal election campaign is underway and the Mirror polled the candidates for vancouver Island North riding for their opinion on aquaculture.
Do you support aquaculture? Why or why not?
John Duncan – Conservative Party of Canada:
In terms of aquaculture, I support both traditional wild fisheries and a sustainable aquaculture industry, both of which are important to our coastal communities. Aquaculture plays an important role in creating and supporting jobs in Vancouver Island North. A re-elected Conservative government will continue to support aquaculture that is strictly regulated and operating transparently. Our Conservative government has invested over $70 million to improve environmental monitoring and science.
As of December 2010, regulatory oversight of the aquaculture sector was transferred to the federal government. There are strong rules that must be enforced fairly. It is very early to judge results of these new regulations or enforcement. Under the Fisheries Act, federal regulations will govern certain activities regarding the cultivation of fish in British Columbia. The province will continue to issue tenures where operations take place in either the marine or freshwater environment, license marine plant cultivation, and manage business aspects of aquaculture such as work place health and safety. It will be important for the sustainability of the aquaculture industry that they follow the rules and find ways to innovate in order to maintain a social license to operate.
Mike Holland – Liberal Party of Canada:
I do support the aquaculture industry. It is already an important source of jobs in our community, particularly in regions where jobs are desperately needed. While we need and value these jobs, we must also ensure we safeguard our wild fishery, which also supports many industries and jobs from the commercial fishery to recreational fishing and tourism.
We need to take a science-based approach that objectively examines the impact of farming on the wild fishery, and be prepared to follow where the science takes us.
Ronna-Rae Leonard – New Democratic Party:
Yes! Aquaculture provides important jobs in our community. There’s a strong future in aquaculture and we have unique conditions here to make it thrive and create jobs.
For salmon aqualculture, New Democrats are committed to ensuring long-term sustainable jobs by transitioning to closed containment systems. This protects both jobs and wild salmon.
I am also deeply committed to shellfish aquaculture. That’’s one reason why I am calling for a stronger environmental assessment of the proposed coal mine in Comox Valley, which could put hundreds of jobs in the shellfish industry at risk. New Democrats will work with industry, workers, First Nations and municipalities to ensure that Vancouver Island North enjoys a strong, vibrant and sustainable aquaculture industry.
Sue Moen – Green Party:
I support the workers in aquaculture and will demonstrate that by working to provide any necessary income and retraining supports while requiring the industry to make the transition to land-based operations. The Precautionary Principle, which Canada signed onto, demands that we remove any possible threats to our wild salmon and the marine ecosystems. More than 50,000 British Columbian jobs depend on a healthy ocean environment. The Green Party realizes that moving to land will take time, however, that move must begin immediately and we think pens should be fallowed on migratory routes while the industry transitions. A fully-funded Fisheries and Oceans Canada, whose mandate includes marine protection, monitoring and enforcement, and research and precludes promotion, will ensure industry is free to pursue innovative, sustainable and profitable operations while public confidence in the Ministry is restored.
10 key Island issues in the 2011 federal election campaign
Timescolonist.com April 27, 2011
Fish farms
Both coasts of Vancouver Island are dotted with fish farms. Opponents claim open-net pens are a threat to wild salmon and the environment, while supporters point to jobs in remote communities, and say economically viable, closed pens remain experimental.
Vancouver Island North
Conservative candidate John Duncan said the government has invested more than $70 million in improving environmental monitoring and science and supports strictly regulated aquaculture operating transparently.
The Liberals wants more scientific studies on farm placement, fallowing and closed containment. "We don't want to rush out and ruin the industry and the science has to be done first. Hopefully we can find a balance between jobs and the environment."
The NDP wants the industry to move to closed containment systems to protect wild salmon and ensure long-term, sustainable jobs.
The Greens oppose open pens and want aquaculture moved out of the Fisheries and Oceans mandate so the DFO can concentrate on protecting wild fish
Shape Your Future, make sure to get out and Vote !
