Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Fisheries

QUÉBEC, Quebec, April 12, 1999 -- Federal, provincial and territorial fisheries ministers held a productive one-day discussion on a Interjurisdictional Co-operation Agreement and on a number of other key issues facing Canadian fisheries. Following the recent creation of Nunavut, Ministers welcomed the new delegation at the table. They look forward to starting their working relationship with Minister Peter Kilabuk.

The National Conference of Fisheries Ministers (NCFM) was hosted by Rémy Trudel, Quebec Minister of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, and David Anderson, Federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Today's meeting was a follow-up to the last NCFM, held on September 25, 1998 in Victoria, British Columbia.

Today Ministers agreed in principle on a draft Agreement on Interjurisdictional Cooperation with Respect to Fisheries and Aquaculture, developed jointly by federal, provincial and territorial representatives and led by Nova Scotia. Minister Keith Colwell, Deputy Minister Peter Underwood and members of the working group were thanked for their hard work. The Agreement will be an important step towards improving cooperation and collaboration between governments on the main issues facing the fisheries and aquaculture sector. It outlines several key principles of cooperation, including timely consultation, information-sharing, transparency and flexibility.

The agreement will also establish a formal structure for cooperation, which will replace the National Conference of Fisheries Ministers. This Ministers' forum, as well as the development of an annual work plan, will enable jurisdictions to undertake strategic work on broader long-term issues. The text of the agreement will be finalized for adoption by ministers in the near future.

"I am very pleased with the progress made today with my provincial and territorial colleagues," said Minister Anderson. "This new Council will enable governments to work together more effectively and to use their collective resources to pursue common objectives, such as conserving and protecting Canada's fisheries resources, and shaping the fisheries of the future".

"My fellow ministers and I are satisfied with today's discussion," stated Mr. Trudel. "This agreement will confirm the commitment of the federal and other governments to work in a new and enhanced spirit of co-operation. This agreement will also serve to improve relationships among governments."

The provincial and territorial ministers stressed that fisheries and aquaculture are essential to the economic well-being of our coastal and inland fishing communities. Ministers agreed on the necessity to work together to ensure their success.

Other issues covered by Ministers were the report of the Panel Studying Partnering and Aquaculture. Minister Anderson provided provincial and territorial Ministers with an overview of the work of the Panel Studying Partnering, whose report was released in December 1998. The Minister also provided an update on the status of the federal Fisheries Act and consulted his provincial and territorial counterparts on the next steps.

Newly-appointed Aquaculture Commissioner Yves Bastien outlined his role and mandate, which are to act as a champion for the aquaculture sector and to advise the federal government on matters related to aquaculture. He also gave an overview of the state of the aquaculture industry in Canada.

Mr. Bastien was introduced by Mr. Gilbert Normand, Minister of State for Agriculture and Agri-Foods and Fisheries and Oceans. In his remarks, Mr. Normand discussed plans to examine the potential nature and value of a national approach to aquaculture development in consultation with the provinces, territories and industry.

The Honourable John Efford of Newfoundland brought his colleagues up to date on the concerns of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador relative to the expanding seal population and their impact on the recovery of the key groundfish stocks. Minister Efford presented his colleagues with new evidence showing this clear relationship and called upon them to support effective management measures to address these concerns.

The next meeting of the National Conference of Fisheries Ministers will be held in Quebec City in September 1999.

- 30 -