Book 2, Tab A1 and A2 - Mandate Letter and Priorities

On this page

• Mandate Letter
• Mandate Priorities – Sate of Play
  • Purpose
  • Fisheries Act Implementation
  • Blue Economy Strategy
  • Pacific Salmon Strategy
  • Atlantic Salmon Conservation
  • Marine Conservation Targets
  • Coastal Restoration Fund
  • Ghost Gear Program
  • Oceans Protection Plan (Led by Transport Canada)
  • Traditional Knowledge
  • Fisheries Arrangements with Indigenous and Non-Indigenous
  • Carbon Storage and Absorption
  • Climate vulnerability
  • BC Net-Pen Transition
  • Aquaculture Act
  • Fleet Renewal
  • Small Craft Harbours
  • Mitigate and Respond to Emerging Incidents and Hazards (Led by Public Safety)

Mandate Letter

Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard Mandate Letter

Mandate Priorities – Sate of Play

Purpose

Provide an update on the status of the following Ministerial Mandate Letter Commitments:

• Fisheries Act Implementation
• Blue Economy Strategy
• Pacific Salmon Strategy
• Atlantic Salmon Conservation
• Marine Conservation Targets
• Coastal Restoration Fund
• Ghost Gear Program
• Oceans Protection Plan
• Traditional Knowledge
• Fisheries Arrangements
• Carbon Storage and Absorption
• Oceans Act Modernization
• Climate Vulnerability
• BC Net-Pen Transition
• Aquaculture Act
• Fleet Renewal
• Small Craft Harbours
• Mitigate and respond to emerging incidents and hazards

Fisheries Act Implementation

Continue to implement the modernized Fisheries Act.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to work to support sustainable, stable, prosperous fisheries through the continued implementation of the modernized Fisheries Act, which restores lost protections, rebuilds fish populations, and incorporates modern safeguards so that fish and fish habitats are protected for future generations and Canada’s fisheries can continue to grow the economy and sustain coastal communities.
• To support ongoing implementation of the modernized Fisheries Act, engagement activities continue with Indigenous peoples, partners, stakeholders, and the public on development of policies, frameworks, instruments, and guidance.
• Additional engagement will be undertaken on implementation of the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act, including: consideration of cumulative effects in decision making, and additional codes of practice aimed at avoiding impacts to fish and fish habitat.

Recent accomplishments

• Established a Registry to list fish and fish habitat authorizations and post updates.
• Amendments to the Fishery (General) Regulations were published in the Canada Gazette Part II in April, which officially prescribe the first batch of 30 major fish stocks to the Fish Stocks provisions under the Fisheries Act. This means that DFO now must maintain these stocks at sustainable levels and put rebuilding plans in place if these stocks become depleted. The amendments set out requirements to develop rebuilding plans in a timely and consistent manner if a stock declines below its Limit Reference Point. 

Blue Economy Strategy

Work with partners to grow Canada's ocean and freshwater economy and support the long-term sustainable growth of Canada's fish and seafood sector.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to continue working with business, academic institutions, non-profits, provincial and territorial governments, and Indigenous partners to grow Canada’s ocean and freshwater economy and support the long-term sustainable growth of Canada’s fish and seafood sector, ensuring Canada is positioned to succeed in the fast-growing global ocean sectors of the blue economy and advancing reconciliation, conservation and climate objectives.
• A forward-looking Blue Economy Strategy (BES) will set a vision for our ocean-related sectors and help guide future actions and investments to enable long-term sustainable growth, especially for coastal communities. The Strategy will also advance ocean conservation objectives, reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and climate objectives.

Recent accomplishments

• The Blue Economy Strategy public engagement process was officially launched on February 8, 2021, and ended on June 15, 2021. A ‘What We Heard’ report summarizing the input received was released on March 11, 2022. 

Pacific Salmon Strategy

Work with partners and implicated communities to implement the Pacific Salmon Strategy.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to work in close collaboration with provincial and territorial authorities, Indigenous partners, fishing and stewardship organizations and implicated communities to implement the Pacific Salmon Strategy and to make new investments and develop a conservation strategy to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon populations and their habitats.
• The Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI) was launched in June 2021, with the goal of stemming the severe and ongoing decline of key Pacific salmon populations on Canada’s West Coast and restoring them to a sustainable level for future generations of Canadians. The $647-million long-term initiative is unprecedented in both value and scope, and the work will require the efforts of not only the Department, but of those whose lives and interests are affected by the state of Pacific salmon.
• Over the past six months, DFO officials have met with partners, stakeholders, First Nations to explain the broad strokes of the PSSI and to seek support for and participation in this important initiative.

Recent accomplishments

• Early implementation is underway with launch of initial activities (i.e., 2021 conservation closures for commercial fisheries), and early engagement.
• Launched a new Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative Secretariat and created the Salmon Stewardship Directorate.
• Advanced work in response to impacts of 2021 flood on Pacific salmon habitats.
• Completed engagement with First Nations and commercial harvesters on long-term commercial salmon fisheries closures.

Atlantic Salmon Conservation

Make new investments and develop a conservation strategy to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon populations and their habitats. 

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to work in close collaboration with provincial and territorial authorities, Indigenous partners, fishing and stewardship organizations and implicated communities to make new investments and develop a conservation strategy to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon populations and their habitats.
• A Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Policy and Implementation Plan were announced in March of 2017 and May of 2019, respectively. The 2019-21 Implementation Plan outlined the actions Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and partners expected take to help restore and maintain healthy wild Atlantic salmon populations.
• Engagement has been ongoing with stakeholders and partners since the summer of 2021 to discuss the conclusion of the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Implementation Plan 2019-2021 and the path forward

Recent accomplishments

• Identified high-level priorities that could be addressed through an Atlantic salmon conservation strategy through external engagement activities (completed and ongoing).
• Work to identify priority areas for future investments through internal engagement activities (completed and ongoing).
• Environmental scan identified and clarified jurisdictional authorities between Government of Canada and provinces, as well as Canada’s position internationally through the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization.
• Released the Status Report on the Wild Atlantic Salmon Conservation Implementation Plan 2019-21.

Marine Conservation Targets

Ensure Canada meets its goals to conserve 25 per cent of its oceans by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030, and champion this goal internationally. 

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister  to ensure Canada meets its goals to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s ocean by 2025 and 30 per cent by 2030.
• On July 22, 2021, the Government of Canada announced a historic investment in marine conservation, providing $976.8 million in funding over five years to protect 25 per cent of Canada’s ocean by 2025.
• Canada currently conserves 14.66 per cent of marine and coastal areas, including 14 MPAs established by DFO under the Oceans Act and 59 marine refuges.

Recent accomplishments

• On June 8, 2022, the designation of the Eastern Canyons Marine Refuge under the Fisheries Act was announced to protect important and sensitive corals and coral habitat, including a large deep-water ‘frontier area’, off eastern Nova Scotia.
• To reach the 2025 target, the Department is advancing a range of activities to support the creation of new marine protected areas, effective site management, collaboration with partners and stakeholders, marine spatial planning, and international advocacy.
• Over the past two years, the Department has advocated for the 30 per cent target as part of the a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity through various venues.

Coastal Restoration Fund

Renew and expand the Coastal Restoration Fund (now entitled the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF).

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to continue to protect and restore our oceans and coasts via several avenues, including by renewing and expanding the Coastal Restoration Fund to restore aquatic habitats.
• The Coastal Restoration Fund (CRF) was a $75 million five-year program launched in 2017 as part of the Oceans Protection Plan’s (OPP) efforts to preserve and restore marine ecosystems; the CRF provided funding for over 60 projects on all coasts.
• Budget 2022 announced $2 billion in funding over nine years for the renewal of the OPP; this includes $75 million over five years for the Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund (AERF). Through contribution funding, AERF projects will address impacts on Canadian coastal aquatic environments (e.g. climate change, new contaminants, algae bloom, agricultural runoff).
• Given the success of the CRF program, the AERF will build on the existing framework and will expand its approach to help address impacts to coastal and marine environments on Canada’s coasts.

Recent accomplishments

• As of March 2022, the Coast Restoration Fund had restored over 650 million square meters of aquatic habitat and supported the survival or recovery of threatened or endangered species.

Ghost Gear Program

Expand the Ghost Gear Program to clean up lost and abandoned fishing gear and ocean plastics.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to continue to protect and restore our oceans and coasts via several avenues, including by expanding the Ghost Gear Program to continue efforts by fishers and others to clean up lost and abandoned fishing gear and ocean plastics.
• The Ghost Gear Program was launched in 2019 to support the retrieval of harmful ghost gear from Canadian waters. Through Budget 2022, the Ghost Gear Fund received $10 million to continue retrieval activities, and the testing of fish gear to reduce gear loss for fiscal year 2022-2023.
• A call for proposals was issued on May 4th, 2022, for this round of funding and closed on June 6th, 2022. The program is currently in contribution agreement negotiations with the 44 successful applicants. All successful projects fall into at least one of four eligible categories: gear retrieval, responsible disposal, acquisition and piloting of available gear technology, and international leadership.

Recent accomplishments

• The Ghost Gear Fund has recovered over 1,261 tonnes of ghost gear, over 127km of rope, and completed over 700 gear retrieval trips. 10% of funds were allocated to projects with Indigenous participation.
• First Fishing Gear Reporting System has seen harvester uptake and has improved data quality for the department.
• Program showcased as world-leading efforts at UN Oceans Global Ghost Gear Side event.

Oceans Protection Plan (Led by Transport Canada)

Continued implementation of the renewed and expanded Oceans Protection Plan.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to continue to protect and restore our oceans and coasts via several avenues, including by working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, continue to implement commitments made under the Oceans Protection Plan, and support the Minister of Transport in launching the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan to continue efforts to deliver world-leading marine safety systems, increase protection for marine species and ecosystems and create stronger partnerships with Indigenous and other coastal communities, while strengthening marine research and science.
• Budget 2022 announced an additional $2 billion to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways during our economic recovery and beyond. This new funding is in addition to the $1.5 billion initially announced in 2016 and brings the total invested in support of the plan to $3.5 billion. The OPP is the largest investment ever made to protect Canada’s coasts and waterways, while also growing our economy.
• The implementation of the OPP is a whole-of-government effort, with responsibilities shared across Transport Canada, DFO, Coast Guard, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Health Canada.

Recent accomplishments

• As part of the Oceans Protection Plan, the Government of Canada continuing work to deliver more than 50 initiatives to protect our coasts.
• An engagement was completed to provide clarity on the overall priorities of Indigenous partners and stakeholders across Canada on oceans protection going forward.
• Work is ongoing to roll-out the next phase of the OPP as announced in July 2022.

Traditional Knowledge

Work with Indigenous partners to better integrate traditional knowledge into planning and policy decisions.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to work with Indigenous partners to better integrate traditional knowledge into planning and policy decisions.
• Indigenous knowledge may be considered part of the work of the Department in a wide variety of fields and business lines. For example, Indigenous knowledge continues to be considered in ongoing program activities, including research and science, marine protected area management plans, and habitat and fisheries decisions.

Recent accomplishments

• Working in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, four federal departments developed an Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework for Project Reviews and Regulatory Decisions (the Framework). This Framework will help guide how the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency), Transport Canada, Canada Energy Regulator, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada implement the Indigenous Knowledge provisions of the following Acts:
• Changes to the Fisheries Act now require that Indigenous knowledge be considered, when provided, alongside other factors in project reviews and regulatory decisions.
• Through the renewal of the OPP in Budget 2022, DFO is moving forward initiatives that are incorporating the expertise and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in various aspects of marine safety and ecosystem.

Fisheries Arrangements with Indigenous and Non-Indigenous

Advance consistent, sustainable and collaborative fisheries arrangements with Indigenous and non-Indigenous fish harvesters.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to advance consistent, sustainable and collaborative fisheries arrangements with Indigenous and non-Indigenous fish harvesters.
• To implement that mandate commitment, the Department employs programs and policies that foster continuous engagement and consultation to support fisheries decision making, and pursues collaborative governance and decision-making arrangements where appropriate.
• Tools such as Fisheries Resources Reconciliation Agreements, Rights Reconciliation Agreements, and Moderate Livelihood Fishing Plans are uniquely focused on collaboration in the exercise of Aboriginal and treaty fisheries rights.

Recent accomplishments

• Signed three long-term RRAs with four Treaty Nations and extended the RRA mandate to April 2023 in anticipation of additional agreements.
• Reached five short-term MLFP understandings with thirteen Treat Nations.
• Held ten workshops on Aboriginal and treaty rights and reconciliation with the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters Federation in 2021-22, and two more workshops in 2022-23.

Carbon Storage and Absorption

Invest in coastal and ocean areas that have a high potential to absorb and store carbon, like tidal wetlands, seagrass meadows and riparian habitats.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to make new investments in coastal and ocean areas that have a high potential to absorb and store carbon, like tidal wetlands, seagrass meadows and riparian habitats.

Recent accomplishments

• The Aquatic Ecosystems Restoration Fund is part of the renewal of the national Oceans Protection Plan, launched July 19, 2022. The program will provide $75 million over the next 5 years to support aquatic restoration that will help to address the root causes of impacts to coastal and marine environments.
• The fund will help to support co-benefits of aquatic restoration activities (e.g., nature based solutions to climate change)
• Planning and policy development continues to further understand, based on science, the potential for marine protected areas to assist in adapting to and mitigating the negative impacts of climate change.

Climate vulnerability

Expand climate vulnerability work to better inform marine conservation planning and management.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to expand climate vulnerability work to better inform marine conservation planning and management.
• Oceans surrounding Canada have warmed, become more acidic, and less oxygenated, consistent with observed global ocean changes over the past century.
• Ocean warming and loss of oxygen will intensify with further emissions of all greenhouse gases, whereas ocean acidification will increase in response to additional carbon dioxide emissions. These changes threaten the health of marine ecosystems.

Recent accomplishments

• The department continues to research the impacts of climate change including ocean acidification, low oxygen levels and changing sea ice, as well as impacts on our fisheries and aquatic ecosystems.
• Work is ongoing to assess options to expand climate vulnerability work to better inform marine conservation planning and management through the implementation of activities toward reaching Canada’ marine conservation targets.

BC Net-Pen Transition

Work with British Columbia and Indigenous communities on a plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to continue to work with the province of British Columbia and Indigenous communities on a responsible plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025.
• On July 29, 2022, DFO released a discussion framework which outlines a proposed vision for the transition. The proposed framework will help guide engagement with the Government of British Columbia, First Nations, industry, local governments, stakeholders, and British Columbians.
• Engagement on the discussion framework will run until early 2023. The feedback and input received during this engagement will be instrumental in the development of the final transition plan.

Recent accomplishments

• Completed preliminary engagement to inform the development of a plan, including with industry, the Province of British Columbia, environmental non-government organizations, and the public.
• Published an “As-Was-Heard” report following the former Parliamentary Secretary’s engagement on a transition plan.

Aquaculture Act

Work to introduce Canada’s first Aquaculture Act. 

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to work to introduce Canada’s first-ever Aquaculture Act.
• Based on the agreement between federal, provincial, and territorial ministers, as well as feedback provided during previous rounds of engagement, DFO intends to table federal legislation that would:
  • foster national consistency, while respecting federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdiction
  • improve clarity and certainty for the industry
  • enhance environmental protection
  • help sustainably grow the industry for the benefit of Indigenous and rural communities

Recent accomplishments

• Completed the first phase of engagement (Aug 2020 – Feb 2021) to help to establish aquaculture-specific legislation.
• Published a "What We Heard" report summarizing engagement to date in March 2022.

Fleet Renewal

Renew the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) fleet.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to continue working with the Minister of Public Services and Procurement, with the support of the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, to renew the Canadian Coast Guard fleet, advance the shipbuilding industry, including the process to add a third Canadian shipyard as a strategic partner to the National Shipbuilding Strategy, create middle class jobs and ensure Canada has the modern ships needed.

Recent accomplishments

• Renewal of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet is underway.
• Funded replacement plans are currently in place for the large vessel fleet, including:
  • Three Offshore Fisheries Science Vessels, which were all delivered in 2019 and 2020;
  • One Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel (OOSV);
  • Two Polar Icebreakers;
  • Up to 16 Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPV);
  • Two Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ships (AOPS) (Coast Guard variants of ships currently in construction for the Department of National Defence); and
  • Up to six Program Icebreakers (PIB).

Small Craft Harbours

Support improvement in Small Craft Harbours (SCH) and ensure investments are resulting in climate-resilient infrastructure that serves the needs of the fishing industry and local residents.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to continue to support improvement in Small Craft Harbours and work to ensure our investments in harbours are resulting in climate-resilient infrastructure that serves the needs of the fishing industry and local residents.
• As of August 2022, the Small Craft Harbours program was responsible for 973 harbours:
  • 675 core fishing harbours; and
  • 298 non-core fishing harbours.
• Small Craft Harbours provide key support to the commercial fishing industry. The Small Craft Harbours program keeps the harbours that are critical to the fishing industry open and in good repair.
• Through Budget 2021, our government provided $300 million over two years to repair, renew, and replace small craft harbours.

Recent accomplishments

• Work is ongoing to repair, renew, and replace small craft harbours.
• In October 2022, $100 million in funding was secured to support the immediate and urgent work currently being carried out on the recovery of lost fishing gear and repairs of small craft harbours damaged by Hurricane Fiona.

Mitigate and Respond to Emerging Incidents and Hazards (Led by Public Safety)

Work towards a coordinated approach to ensure Canada continues to be prepared to proactively mitigate, and respond to, emerging incidents and hazards.

Context

• The 2021 mandate letter calls for the Minister to Work with the Minister of Public Safety, the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Health, among other colleagues, to ensure the Government of Canada continues to be prepared to proactively mitigate, and respond to, emerging incidents and hazards.]
• The Canadian Coast Guard (Coast Guard) Environmental Response (ER) program is the operational arm of the Government of Canada responsible for ensuring an appropriate response to ship-source and mystery-source marine pollution incidents in Canadian waters

Recent accomplishments

• Canadian Coast Guard continues to support relevant interdepartmental forums and working groups proactively mitigate, and respond to, emerging incidents and hazards.
• Public Safety Canada and Emergency Management British Columbia are leading the development of the federal/provincial whole of government earthquake exercise known as Coastal Response 2023 (CR23). The exercise, which will take place February 7-9, 2023, has been deemed the National Priority Exercise for the 2020-23 period.
  • Canadian Coast Guard has had an active and continued role in the planning and development of Coastal Response 2023 (CR23) with Public Safety, other government departments (OGDs), and British Columbia.