2021 Federal Election

As you might know, the next federal Election has been called for September 20th, and the Coalition of Atlantic and Quebec Fishing Organizations has been actively working on compiling information on the parties’ platforms as it relates to the conservation of the fishery, and reaching out to candidates to ask them to support the Coalition’s Pledge. On this special Election 2021 page, you will find:

1. Guidance on questions to ask at candidate meetings
2. Where Parties stand regarding the Fisheries
3. Link to names of candidates and MPs who support and those who do not support the Pledge

What to do at candidate meetings?

The Coalition is providing guidance on questions to ask at candidate meetings. We have written text and a series of question that can be used at any candidate meeting to see where they stand on the issue of reconciliation and conservation of the Fishery. Please find it below and feel free to share it with others:

The Coalition of Atlantic and Quebec Fishing Organizations is a group of fish harvester organizations that represent over 3300 harvesters in Eastern Canada.

Our members include the Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU), the Prince Edward Island Fishermen’s Association (PEIFA), Gulf of Nova Scotia Fleet Planning Board (GNSFPB), and the Le Regroupement des pêcheurs professional du Sud de la Gaspésie (RPPSG)

For over 2 years we have been advocating that the current tensions in the fishery in Atlantic Canada and Quebec would be significantly reduced or avoided by the adoption of our 5 pillars of focus.

Our requests are simple, straightforward and industry driven.

As a Federal candidate in my riding do you support?

Conservation of the resource as a Priority.

Yes / Alternative Position / Not in platform / No response

Fishing within established fishing seasons for all fishers.

Yes / Alternative Position / Not in platform / No response

No Increase in Fishing Effort – license and trap numbers to remain the same. The upholding of past license retirement programs.

Yes / Alternative Position / Not in platform / No response

Consistent enforcement of management measures and regulations for all fishers.

Yes / Alternative Position / Not in platform / No Response

Communication – I support direct talks between the Government of Canada, Indigenous Leaders and Commercial Fishing Organizations on any issues related to conservation and management of the fishery.

Yes / Alternative Position / Not in platform / No Response

Where do Parties stand on reconciliation and the protection of the Fishery?

The Coalition has conducted a review of Party platforms as it relates to our five pillars of focus for reconciliation and the protection of the Fishery. Below is a table that indicates whether or not a pillar is included in a political party’s platform for the upcoming election.

	Party status
Pillar of focus	Liberal	Conservative	NDP	Bloc	Green Party	People’s Party
1. Conservation of the resource as a Priority.	Alternative position – Ocean protection	Yes, in platform	Yes, in platform	Not in platform	Yes, in platform	Not in platform
2. Fishing within established fishing seasons for all fishers.	Not in platform	Not in platform	Not in platform	Not in platform	Alternative position: Consistent application of Fisheries Policy	Not in platform
3. No Increase in Fishing Effort. License and trap numbers to remain the same. The upholding of past license retirement programs	Not in platform	Alternative position – Science Based catch limits	Not in platform	Not in platform	Not in platform	Not in platform
4. Consistent enforcement of management measures and regulations for all fishers.	Not in platform	Alternative position – illegal and unregulated fishing	Not in platform	Not in platform	Alternative position: Consistent application of Fisheries Policy	Not in platform
5. Communication – I support direct talks between the Government of Canada, Indigenous Leaders and Commercial Fishing Organizations on any issues related to the conservation and management of the fishery	Not in platform	Yes, in platform	Not in platform	Not in platform	Not in platform	Not in platform

Do your local candidates support reconciliation and fishery conservation?

Ask them today. Get them on board. The Coalition of Atlantic and Quebec Fishing Organizations has reached out to over 50 politicians running for office in the current election and asked them to support our Pledge.

So far, 18 MPs and candidates in our region from a diversity of parties have already publicly supported the Coalition’s pledge. To see the list of Politicians that were sent a request to sign the Pledge and their response to this request, click HERE.