Fix the link where science and policy meet

A salmon is seen trying to climb a small waterfall at Quigley Creek near Princess Royal Island, B.C., Sept, 20, 2013. The province’s new approach to managing freshwater resources is under attack.
(JONATHAN HAYWARD/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Fix the link where science and policy meet

Thomas Homer-Dixon, Heather Douglas and Lucie Edwards

Contributed to The Globe and Mail, Jun. 23 2014

Trout Unlimited Canada writes: "No matter what your political stripe, the systematic destruction of environmental science in Canada should concern everyone. It is one thing to reduce capacity. It is another to eliminate it, stifle it and knowingly remove it....it was government scientists that discovered the link between phosphorus and pollution and the impacts of acid rain on our lakes. These created informed policy that did NOT negatively affect the economy, but made all aspects of society more sustainable. Please share this article with your friends."

Read article here: http://bit.ly/1nXT81H

Harper government cutting more than $100 million related to protection of water

Coast Guard services are facing cuts equivalent to $20 million by 2014-15.Photo by Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press

Harper government finds waterway spending cuts

Coast Guard downsizing in $100M shaved

by Mike De Souza, Calgary Herald/Postmedia News, Sat, Dec 28, 2013

More than $100 million in cuts are underway at the federal department in charge of protecting Canada's water and oceans, despite recommendations from top bureaucrats that it needs to increase spending for both environmental and economic reasons.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1ahM0Ek

NOTE: The Calgary Herald story was edited for length. Read the original story here: http://bit.ly/1g89KQa

Coast Guard services are facing cuts equivalent to $20 million by 2014-15.Photo by Darryl Dyck, The Canadian Press

Nathan Cullen, Fisheries

Nathan Cullen, Opposition House Leader for the New Democratic Party answers questions posed by reporters about amendments to the Fisheries Act - recorded for Straight Goods News by Samantha Bayard and Ish Theilheimer on Thursday, April 26, 2012.

"If Canadians knew the truth of what’s hiding in the depths of this bill, they would be outraged. Now I’m not talking about one part of the political spectrum.

I think this goes right across the board that people who like to fish, who like to hunt, people who like to have a clean environment are going to be deeply concerned with a government that won’t even have a discussion or a debate about changing fundamentally the way that we approach protecting our environment.

It’s hugely dangerous and quite offensive to me as a Canadian."

- Nathan Cullen

Decapitating the Fisheries Act...

Decapitating the Fisheries Act by removing the HADD: A Critique of the Rationale

Written by: Arlene Kwasniak and William Donahue

Source: The University of Calgary Faculty of Law Blog on Developments in Alberta Law

Decision considered: Federal government proposal to remove habitat protection from the Fisheries Act.

The federal government of Canada proposes to remove the habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act RSC 2000, c F-14, s 35. Countless Canadians have vigorously spoken out against this proposal because removing these provisions would be a critical and fundamental change not only to federal legislative approach, but also to the management, protection, and well-being of fisheries in Canada.

The federal government’s proposed change is questionable for three reasons. One, as the federal government has exclusive constitutional authority over inland and coastal fisheries it would be unconscionable to remove the habitat protection provisions from the Fisheries Act. Two, the evidence shows that the habitat provisions of the Fisheries Act have not posed significant economic barriers to development. Three, we already have the legal tools to assure an appropriate level of regulatory requirements with respect to project applications that will impact Canada’s fisheries.

Fish Habitat Protection Endangered

Reforms to the Fisheries Act that would end federal oversight over much of the country's fresh water are proving difficult for some provinces to swallow. (Canadian Press)

This topic has received very little coverage in the Calgary media.

We think it’s an important issue deserving of more attention. We hope you agree.

Otto Langer, a retired federal fisheries biologist, released two weeks ago a leaked internal information spelling out planned changes to the Fisheries Act.

A section that went into force in 1986, prohibiting any activities that could harm fish habitat, would be replaced by a ban on anything causing an "adverse effect" on "fish of economic, cultural or ecological value."

The Harper government had planned to slip these significant changes to the Fisheries Act into its Budget Omnibus Bill, which is set to be delivered on March 29.

Mr. Langer has since responded to the Fisheries Minister's defence of the plan that many are saying would gut the fisheries act.

There has been growing opposition to this proposed move.

Trout Unlimited Canada’s CEO Jeff Surtees wrote a letter to Keith Ashfield, Minister of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Jeff Surtees was also interviewed on Lets Go Outdoors radio regarding this topic.

Two former Progressive Conservative cabinet ministers (both also former Fisheries Ministers), Thomas Siddon and John Fraser, have spoken out very strongly against the proposed changes.

A group of 625 scientists, including David Schindler (U of A), sent a letter urging the government to abandon any changes.

The Canadian Society For Ecology and Evolution, representing 1,000 ecologists and evolutionary biologists, in a letter to Ashfield from president Jeffrey Hutchings, said "In the interests of transparency and accountability, and in the interests of Canadian society, we respectfully request that the science advice received in this regard be made publicly available without delay.”

In addition to the links provided above, two more very informative articles have appeared: Fish habitat: Why rock the boat? and Federal budget may rile environmentalists.

If you are concerned about these proposed changes, there are several options available to make your views known.

You can sign a petition that has been making the rounds of the fly fishing community.

You can personalize, and send, an electronic message via the Sierra Club,

However, your most effective course of action (in our opinion) would be to write to your MP, Minister Keith Ashfield and Prime Minister Harper at your earliest convenience.

Or perhaps best of all, follow up with all three!

And do it today. The clock is ticking.

Tories 'looking at' Fisheries Act changes

Federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield says policies 

now in place "inhibit activities of Canadian landowners."

Photograph by: Chris Wattie, Reuters , Calgary Herald

NOTE: This Calgary Herald article (below) did not include several sentences attributed to Elizabeth May from the original Canada.com article.  She mentions hunters and anglers may have some ‘sway’ with the Harper government, so we think her words are worth repeating here:

May said most Canadians are unaware of the importance of the Fisheries Act's habitat section.

"It is the strongest piece of legislation we have, full stop," she said. 

"It's an old law but it's the cornerstone of environmental law and policy in this country, and federal engagement in a wide range of projects and proposals which otherwise would be considered exclusively provincial.

"This is why this is a death blow. I mean, this is absolutely disastrous."

Ashfield, according to internal documents obtained by Postmedia News through the Access to Information Act, was advised last year that the habitat section is a significant "irritant" for industry groups in Canada.

There has been an aggressive lobbying campaign in Ottawa, with major corporations and industry groups facing off against environmentalist lobbyers.

May said reports that the change may be included in omnibus legislation following the March 29 budget mean there's only a brief window to stop the move.

She said Harper will only listen to Conservative-oriented Canadians such as hunters and anglers, and has shown he won't drop legislation once it's been tabled in the House of Commons.

"Stopping it before it goes into the House is pretty critical and that will take people who have sway with Stephen Harper," she said.

"I'm not one of those people and neither are environmental groups, but if enough Canadians realize this is the cornerstone for protecting the environment perhaps we can get it changed."

Tories 'looking at' Fisheries Act changes

By Peter O'Neil, 

Calgary Herald 

March 15, 2012

Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield indicated Wednesday that changes are coming to the federal Fisheries Act.

The federal government was blasted by British Columbia New Democrat and Liberal MPs, who accused the Conservatives of trying to "gut" what Green party Leader Elizabeth May calls the "cornerstone" of federal environment policy.

MPs said it's part of a broader plan by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to pave the way for Enbridge Inc.'s proposed Northern Gateway oilsands pipeline to the B.C. coast, since that pipeline would cross hundreds of rivers and streams.

Read more

Big win for fly fisherman

Gérard Bilodeau (left) and Patrick Vincent, Regional Director of Fisheries Management (right), congratulate Mr. Claude Bernard (centre) as he receives a 2011 National Recreational Fisheries Award.

Keith Ashfield, Canada’s Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, has announced that Claude Bernard is a winner of a 2011 National Recreational Fisheries Award.

“As Mr Bernard is committed to ensuring that recreational fisheries are preserved, so is our Government,” said Minister Ashfield. “We are proud to honour the efforts of such dedicated volunteers who make such an important contribution to this tradition.”

Bernard has made a rich and lasting contribution to recreational fishing and its legacy for all Canadians by introducing many students to fly fishing and fly tying, often devoting his lunch breaks to educate others.

He was also the driving force behind the creation of the culturally important Canadian Fly Fishing Museum in Waterloo and co-founded the Québec-Maritimes Fly Fishing Forum which attracts more than 2,000 participants annually. 

In addition, he has contributed his knowledge and passion to the creation and maintenance of streams suitable for fly fishing, such as the development of spawning beds, fish passages and other work on the North Yamaska River. He is currently leading development of a manual for the Pêche en herbe programme for young sport fishers; a programme that introduces 9-12 year-olds to recreational fishing.

Canada’s National Recreational Fisheries Awards were created in 1989 to recognise outstanding contributions by individuals and organisations in areas such as recreational community leadership, restoring and enhancing fisheries and fish habitat or promoting conservation and sustainable recreational fishing.

LINK (Via: Fisheries and Oceans Canada)

Source: Midcurrent via Fishneweu