Potential consequences of a perceived relaxation of the habitat-protection provisions of the Fisheries Act

Petition: 361

Issue(s): Biological diversity, fisheries, governance

Petitioner(s): Resident of Canada

Petitioner Location(s): Halifax, Nova Scotia

Date Received: 11 March 2014

Status: Completed—Response(s) to petition received

Summary: The petition recaps changes to the habitat-protection provisions of the Fisheries Act, which were passed by Parliament in June 2012, and raises concerns about the potential negative consequences of these changes. It also summarizes the regulations introduced by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in April 2013. Further, the petition raises concerns about how Fisheries and Oceans Canada will interpret “serious harm” to fish and “permanent” alteration or destruction of fish habitat, and calls into question the Department’s ability to implement its ecosystem approach to the sustainable management of aquatic resources under the revised legislation. The petition includes questions for Fisheries and Oceans Canada about its scientific input into the changes to the habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act, about how these changes will be interpreted and applied, and about the impact of the changes on aquatic species at risk.

Federal Departments Responsible for Reply: Fisheries and Oceans Canada