B.C.’s New Democrat government faced criticism Wednesday for deciding to let coastal fish farms operate for the next four years while companies consult with local First Nations.
Environmental groups said they support the NDP’s criticism of open-pen fish farms and a new requirement for Aboriginal consent, but the 2022 deadline is too far off and threatens to further endanger coastal salmon with the risk of disease.
Alexandra Morton, a longtime critic of open-pen fish farms, said she was disgusted the government refused to cancel outright 20 tenures in the Broughton Archipelago that were up for renewal on Wednesday.
“That’s what’s so disappointing about this government, they are chickens,” said Morton. “They are weak.”
Morton said the government had all the evidence it needed, including clear opposition from First Nations in the archipelago, to simply act. Instead, she said, it kicked the issue down the road until after the next scheduled provincial election in 2021 (or earlier depending on Premier John Horgan’s minority government).
Rob Shaw – Vancouver Sun – June 20,2018.