With a federal election looming and tariff threats rising, the Western Business Coalition is urging the next government to overturn Ottawa’s marine salmon farming ban in B.C. and adopt science-based, investment-friendly policies for Canada’s aquaculture sector.
By Fabian Dawson
SeaWestNews
With a federal election imminent, business leaders across Western Canada are calling on the next government to overturn the proposed ban on marine net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia.
Marking its first major initiative, the Western Business Coalition warns that the ban, set to take effect in 2029, poses a significant threat to economic growth, Indigenous partnerships, and Canada’s global standing in aquaculture.
Under the banner of “Untapped Potential – Driving Canadian Prosperity Through Natural Resources”, the coalition aims to unlock the economic power of Canada’s resource sectors by championing policies that attract investment, generate jobs, and position Canada as a leader in energy, agriculture, mining, forestry, and aquaculture.
Comprised of the Business Council of British Columbia, the Business Council of Alberta, the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Council of Manitoba, the coalition represents over one-third of Canada’s economy and is dedicated to leveraging Western Canada’s strengths for national economic prosperity.
“Canada has the untapped potential to be an economic superpower by leaning into policies that support the development of our resource sectors. Instead, we are limiting opportunities for the next generation by falling behind in our growth, productivity, and prosperity. It’s time to change course,” said Laura Jones, President and CEO of the Business Council of B.C. (BCBC).
“Canada’s natural resource sector is the foundation of our prosperity, yet it remains constrained and limited through regulatory and policy barriers that stifle growth and investment,” said Adam Legge, President of the Business Council of Alberta.
“Western Canada has the expertise, resources, and innovative capacity to grow our nation and meet global demands,” added Bram Strain, President and CEO of the Business Council of Manitoba.
“By cutting red tape and creating a more predictable regulatory environment, we can attract investment, create jobs, and ensure long-term economic resilience,” said Prabha Ramaswamy, CEO of the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.
Their remarks come as newly minted Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to trigger a federal election on Sunday, amid escalating trade tensions with the United States and China in an intensifying tariff war.
For years, Carney’s predecessor, Justin Trudeau, sided with the anti-fish farming lobby, enforcing activist-driven policies that now threaten British Columbia’s economy. His administration also dismissed scientific findings from government fisheries experts, which concluded that marine salmon farms in B.C. pose less than a one-percent risk to migrating wild stocks. As a result, B.C. faces the loss of 4,560 jobs, including over 1,000 held by Indigenous workers, while taxpayers could be on the hook for an estimated $9 billion in compensation to salmon farmers, suppliers, and First Nations.
Canada’s aquaculture sector, spanning more than a dozen species of fish and shellfish, with Atlantic salmon as the primary product, is essential to the nation’s economy, food security, and coastal communities, according to the Western Business Coalition.
In 2023, the industry contributed $2 billion to GDP, generated $900 million in exports, and sustained 17,000 full-time jobs. Its supply chain, encompassing over 3,000 businesses, plays a vital role in supporting small, remote, and Indigenous communities.
Beyond its economic impact, aquaculture boasts one of the lowest carbon footprints among all protein sources. With an efficient 1:1 feed-to-growth ratio, it outperforms beef, pork, and poultry in sustainability, making it a critical component in meeting rising global food demand.
“Despite these advantages, regulatory challenges in Canada are stifling growth. In recent decades, activism has overshadowed science, and regulatory authority has increasingly shifted from the provincial to the federal government,” said the coalition.
“Meanwhile, as Canada restricts growth and deters investment, the global industry is growing dramatically to meet demand for high-quality protein. To capture those opportunities, the federal government must shift its policy environment to foster investment, create jobs, and secure Canada’s role as a trusted global food supplier.”
In its report, the coalition outlines key actions to support the long-term growth of the aquaculture industry, including:
- Reversing the proposed federal ban on marine net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia while supporting industry-led innovations to minimize interactions between farm-raised and wild salmon.
- Amending the Fisheries Act to allow for aquaculture licenses longer than nine years. Short-term licenses discourage investment and innovation because they are shorter than the investment payback period for many assets (e.g., marine vessels). Licenses should be issued for the maximum term and remain secure as long as the holder complies with regulatory requirements.
- Establishing developmental (R&D) licenses, similar to the Norwegian model, to support the implementation and testing of innovations and new technologies. Licenses should be valid for up to 15 years to allow multiple production cycles. Successful R&D projects should also be convertible to standard licenses at a fixed price.
- Supporting the First Nations for Finfish Stewardship proposal for an Indigenous Aquaculture Governance Table (IAGT) and the Indigenous Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences (ICAHS) to foster Indigenous-led stewardship, research, and marine management.
- Increasing federal funding for marine harbour infrastructure on the west coast, ensuring it is on par with funding allocated for east coast harbour infrastructure.
According to the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association (BCSFA), with supportive legislation and policies, its members could generate $2.5 billion in economic output, contribute $930 million to GDP, and create 9,000 jobs with $560 million in wages by 2030 – all while advancing innovation and responsible practices to safeguard wild salmon stocks.
(Main image shows Laura Jones, President and CEO of the Business Council of B.C.)