Federal government response to the 2012 Cohen Commission report into the decline of Fraser River salmon and concerns about funding for salmon stock monitoring and assessment

Petition: 358

Issue(s): Federal-provincial relations, fisheries, governance

Petitioner(s): Canadian organization

Petitioner Location(s): Coquitlam, British Columbia

Date Received: 25 February 2014

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received

Summary: The petitioners are concerned about the lack of federal government response to the recommendations made by the Cohen Commission. The Commission, which issued its report in October 2012, studied the decline of Sockeye salmon in the Fraser River in British Columbia and developed recommendations for improving the future sustainability of Sockeye salmon. The petitioners ask Fisheries and Oceans Canada to describe its analyses, action, and related funding in response to the Commission’s recommendations, including those related to salmon stock monitoring and assessment. They also ask whether Fisheries and Oceans Canada supports the Commission’s recommendation to report on progress against its recommendations and to describe what action the Department has taken in this regard. In addition, the petitioners ask about the cost for federal organizations to participate in the hearing process and whether this cost is included in the $26 million reported cost of the Commission.

Federal Departments Responsible for Reply: Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada