Federal Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc delivered Tuesday the first official progress report on the 2012 Cohen Commission recommendations for protecting salmon in B.C., an effort to paint a picture of action and commitment by his government.
The previous Conservative government had been criticized for not doing enough following the $36-million inquiry into declining Fraser River sockeye returns. The Liberals, under Justin Trudeau, promised during the 2015 election campaign that they would make the environment a priority, including acting on Justice Bruce Cohen’s recommendations.
The progress report says 32 of the 75 recommendations have been implemented in whole or in part, many of those under the Conservatives. That includes the launch of scientific studies to fill knowledge gaps, beefing up health standards and practices at hatcheries, and adjusting requirements on where salmon farms can be located.
But the status report shows clearly there are recommendations the federal fisheries ministry does not intend to implement.
Gordon Hoekstra – Vancouver Sun –Â August 9, 2016.
Want More Investigative Content?
