Marine Harvest Canada pleased with salmon aquaculture license ruling

Campbell River, May 9th, 2012

Marine Harvest Canada (MHC) is pleased with the recent precedent setting court ruling that affirms the replacement of a Federal aquaculture license for a salmon farm located near Port McNeill, BC. The May 3, 2012 decision, stemmed from a lawsuit levied by Chief Bob Chamberlin of the Kwicksutaineuk Ah-Kwa-Mish First Nation (KAFN) alleging inadequate First Nation consultation.

"Justice Montigny was clear in his ruling that the Government of Canada met its duty to consult and for the first time, listed the steps taken to reconcile the interests at stake," said Clare Backman, Marine Harvest's Director of Sustainability.

Specifically, the Justice noted that Canada had (1) provided capacity funding to KAFN, (2) provided information regarding the regulatory changes, (3) hosted bilateral meetings/workshops with the KAFN and other First Nations, (4) provided draft regulations for review and comment, (5) provided a draft of the proposed DFO licence for review and comment, (6) met directly with KAFN four times and (7) provided information about how Canada would consult.

The judgement has ordered the KAFN to pay the costs of the respondents, which includes MHC.

MHC is BC's leading salmon aquaculture company - employing 500 people on Vancouver Island and supporting twelve partnership and/or business agreements with First Nations or First Nation owned businesses.

Media contact: Clare Backman - 250-850-9544