Aquaculture: Salmon Farmers, First Nations Look to New PM Mark Carney for Change

“We need a government that respects our rights to chart our own economic futures, not one that listens only to the loudest activists…We are hopeful that Prime Minister Mark Carney can deliver on this,” – Isaiah Robinson, Kitasoo Xai’xais First Nation

By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews

British Columbia’s salmon farmers and their Indigenous partners are hopeful that Prime Minister Mark Carney will chart a new course for the aquaculture sector, correcting years of economically harmful, ideologically driven policies enacted by his predecessor.

As Carney takes office, he inherits the fallout from the Trudeau-era decisions that, according to fisheries experts, prioritized activist misinformation over science, ignored Indigenous self-determination, and devastated rural coastal economies in BC.

Throughout his campaign, Carney emphasized evidence-based policymaking and Indigenous reconciliation rooted in economic empowerment. Those promises now resonate deeply with communities where the federal phase-out of ocean-based salmon farms has led to job losses, legal challenges, and growing disillusionment with Ottawa’s direction.

“I’m hopeful that we’ll see more meaningful opportunities to advance true self-determination… opportunities that will bring lasting prosperity to our First Nation communities,” said Isaiah Robinson, Deputy Chief Councillor of the Kitasoo Xai’xais, which began farming salmon in its traditional territories in the late 1980s.

“We need a government that respects our rights to chart our own economic futures, not one that listens only to the loudest activists… We are hopeful that Prime Minister Mark Carney can deliver on this,” said Robinson.

The B.C. salmon farming sector is deeply embedded in many coastal Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, wildlife ecosystems, and local economies, employing some 6,000 people directly and indirectly, engaging with over 1,000 suppliers, and contributing approximately $2 billion to the economy.

The sector also directly and indirectly employs over 700 Indigenous people and provides $120 million in total annual economic benefits to First Nations, with $42 million going directly to Indigenous communities. Today, 100 percent of B.C.’s farmed salmon is raised in agreement with Rights Holder First Nations.

Despite clear advice from its own fisheries scientists, the Trudeau government has already eliminated nearly 45% of B.C.’s salmon farming production. Now, Ottawa is advancing a politically motivated Transition Plan that risks crippling the province’s coastal economy, potentially saddling taxpayers with up to $9 billion in compensation costs to salmon farmers, Indigenous partners, and supply chain businesses.

At the heart of this activist-driven agenda is a proposal to push all ocean-based salmon farming by 2029 to closed-containment operations, which will result in a significant environmental footprint, particularly in greenhouse gas emissions.

Compounding the crisis, newly introduced U.S. tariffs threaten to further undermine the viability of one of Canada’s most sustainable and globally competitive protein industries.

The BC Salmon Farming Association (BCSFA) said it looks forward to working with the newly elected federal government to find a realistic and achievable pathway for the sector to strengthen the country’s food security, affordability, and economy.

“We have been communicating to the federal parties that under a responsible plan put forward by B.C. salmon farmers and First Nations, the sector could generate CAD $2.5 billion in economic output, CAD 930 million in GDP, and 9,000 jobs paying CAD 560 million in wages annually by 2030 and CAD 4.2 billion in output by 2040,” said BCSFA spokesperson Michelle Franze.

According to the Canadian Aquaculture Industry Alliance (CAIA), farmed seafood production in the country, which generates over $5.3 billion in economic activity and $2 billion in GDP, has plunged to its lowest level in a decade.

Timothy Kennedy, CAIA President & CEO, said the Carney government has the opportunity to make aquaculture—especially salmon farming— a critical economic solution for Canada.

“It is a major untapped source of jobs and Canadian home-grown food, while supporting environmental stewardship, Indigenous reconciliation, and community revitalization,” he said.

“Canada has the greatest potential for cold-water aquaculture in the world. It is the lowest carbon-footprint and most sustainable large-scale animal protein production in the world.”

“We look forward to discussing the aquaculture opportunity with Mr. Carney’s government, and how smart policy can strengthen Canada and unleash new jobs, food security, coastal community revitalization, and Indigenous reconciliation,” said Kennedy.

(Main file image shows Prime Minister Mark Carney on the campaign trail)