What do the North Island Powell River Candidates have to say about Aquaculture
Leading up to the October 19 federal election, the Peak will be asking party candidates for the North Island-Powell River riding a series of four questions and printing their responses to one question each issue.
What is the most critical issue facing aquaculture and fisheries in this riding?
Brenda Sayers – Green Party
My name is Brenda Sayers and I am from the Hupacasath First Nation, one of the 14 First Nation tribes that extend across North Vancouver Island.
For the last two and half years I have fought the ratification of the Canada-China Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement on behalf of the Hupacasath First Nation and all people of Canada.
We need to see a change in Ottawa; a change that is people-driven. I will stand for the people and ensure your voices are heard in Parliament. Together we will establish the building blocks for future generations to create positive change.
What is the most critical issue facing aquaculture and fisheries in this riding?
During my multiple recent visits to Powell River, I have heard many concerns about aquaculture, specifically open-pen salmon farms. Canada’s most conspicuous environmental and economic tragedy has been the collapse of our wild fisheries.
As a member of the Hupacasath First Nation on Vancouver Island, salmon has always been an important part of my culture. I identify with Powell Riverites’ concerns about fish farms on a deeply personal level.
As a Green MP, I would work to implement measures to quickly phase out open-ocean, net-cage fish farms.
As a Green MP, I will work to strengthen the Fisheries Act to require evaluation of threats to fish stocks and include provisions to protect them and the marine environment, make protection of critical stocks and habitat mandatory and require that the management and conservation of wild fisheries take precedence over aquaculture.
Peter Schwarzhoff – Liberal Party
My name is Peter Schwarzhoff and I was raised in Campbell River in a pulp-mill family, so I know the region, but I spent my career in public service. As a former Air Force captain, I understand our duty to our veterans.
As a retired Environment Canada scientist, I understand the need for evidence-based decision-making and the need for an open, transparent government. I know we can have development without destroying the environment. I believe Canada deserves a government that treats all Canadians with trust and respect. I am part of a team that will restore these values to government service on behalf of all Canadians.
What is the most critical issue facing aquaculture and fisheries in this riding?
Trust is the greatest issue, but I am a scientist, so I rely on evidence. Conflicting evidence regarding potential impacts of open-net salmon aquaculture was presented to the Cohen Commission. Among his recommendations, Justice Cohen stated that if the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) could not scientifically ascertain by 2020 that salmon farms posed minimal risk to wild salmon, they should be removed from the ocean. The Liberal Party will accept the Cohen recommendations.
Due to cutbacks, DFO has not able to conduct the science itself. Instead, it relies on contractors working with the aquaculture industry. The science conducted may be excellent, but because it appears to have been conducted by industry, the findings are not trusted by the public.
A Liberal government will restore DFO science capacity, as well as enforcement and habitat capacity, and will ensure the process is transparent so that it can be trusted.
Rachel Blaney – NDP
My name is Rachel Blaney and I was raised in a Stellet’en First Nation family and have lived in the North Island-Powell River region for 17 years. My husband is a former Homalco chief and we have three children and two grandchildren.
I’m the executive director of the Immigrant Welcome Centre in Campbell River and have received local and provincial awards and commendations for my work. I have extensive experience working with all levels of government and am a member of the Conference Board of Canada’s Roundtable on Immigration. I’m also on committees dealing with food security, community development and health.
What is the most critical issue facing aquaculture and fisheries in this riding?
The most critical issue is the continuing concern about the impact of open-net fish farms on wild stock. Both the wild fishery and fish farms are essential to the economy of our riding. The NDP believes we can take action to eliminate concerns while ensuring both industries remain viable.
To this end, we support a transition to closed containment farming. We are committed to increasing research and development funding to support the transition.
Further, the NDP fully supports the recommendations in the Cohen report and we’ve already called for immediate action on its recommendations to protect wild salmon stocks and fish habitat.
The Harper government decimated the federal environmental assessment regime. They’ve gutted the Fisheries Act and cut the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to the point that the few remaining fisheries officers have trouble scrounging the money to operate their patrol boats.
The NDP will restore and improve these protections and the ability to monitor compliance.
Laura Smith – Conservative Party
My coastal background and parliamentary experience makes me the clear choice to represent North Island–Powell River.
I grew up in a forestry family and spent some great years living in a logging camp, which led me to develop a lifelong interest in the natural world. I was motivated to become a professional forester by the activism of resource-dependent coastal communities.These communities struck a balance between the economic and environmental value of the coast.
In recent years, I served as a senior policy advisor to Minister John Duncan in Ottawa and remain committed to our Conservative government’s record of preserving the environment while growing the economy.
What is the most critical issue facing aquaculture and fisheries in this riding?
The most critical issue facing aquaculture and fisheries in this riding is regulatory certainty. Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been making progress in the area of aquaculture regulations as we transition from provincial to federal oversight, but more needs to be done.
The aquaculture industry, for both finfish and shellfish, can be a growing source of stable, local jobs, but we need to ensure that there is an effective regulatory regime that protects our ocean resources and provides certainty to operators.
For wild fisheries, certainty around stock allocations is always of prime importance.
Participate in the Process – Elections Canada
Unlike in the BC provincial elections where voters can vote at any polling station, in the Federal Election, voters must go to the polling location that has been assigned to them.
Starting this week, millions of personalized Voter Information Cards (VIC) are being sent to registered voters’ homes including in Campbell River and area.
Even more will be sent over the next 10 days. VIC’s contain that very important personalized polling location information.
VICs identify each voter’s poll number and location for Election Day – Oct. 19 and the one for Advanced Polling Days (Thanksgiving Long weekend Oct. 9 – Oct. 12 – open each of the four days from noon to 8 p.m.).
When voters receive their VIC, it’s a good idea to check their information.
Voters who haven’t received their VIC by Oct. 1 or whose card shows the wrong address can register or update their address online.
Or, they can drop by a local Elections Canada office.
To locate your local Elections Canada office you can also use the Voter Information Service tool on the Elections Canada home page at www.elections.ca
Voters can vote today and any time up until Oct. 13 by 6 p.m. local time at an Elections Canada office using a Special Ballot.
Elections Canada offices are open seven days a week and are there to help voters.
Voters can call their local Elections Canada office as well or call the toll-free national line 1-800-463-6868 with any questions.
To locate your local Elections Canada office you can also use the Voter Information Service tool on the Elections Canada home page at www.elections.ca
