Ottawa, Ontario - Canada's fisheries funds have helped the Canadian fish and seafood sector remain a driving force of the economy in rural and coastal communities across Canada. The fish and seafood sector is a rapidly changing environment, and the time has come to evolve how the fisheries funds are structured so that they continue to deliver support at the pace required and operate as a strategic investment in the sector's long-term competitiveness.
Today, the Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced that the Government of Canada is entering negotiations for a five-year renewal of the fisheries funds, ensuring Canada's fish and seafood sector has the long-term support it needs to compete across markets and win on the world stage. The level of investment between the federal and provincial governments is central to these negotiations, as well as increased emphasis on supporting industry and market diversification. The fisheries funds have proven to be a positive partnership between federal and provincial governments, and moving forward as equal partners is critical to their ongoing success.
The fisheries funds unlock potential and help Canadian fish and seafood harvesters and businesses thrive in the face of shifting global dynamics. The Government of Canada will work with provincial governments with the goal of building fisheries funds that support the realities of the current environment, while driving innovation, sustainability and productivity so that Canada's fish and seafood sector is set up for sustained growth.
