Question Period Note: Fisheries and Oceans Canada Internal Review – Events of March 26 2024, Shelburne, Nova Scotia

• The Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Conservation and Protection program has procedures relating to the duty of care of individuals who are detained.
• These procedures require officers to consider safety for both the officer and the individual being detained, as well as the general public.
• In accordance with the departmental authorities, Fisheries and Oceans Canada conducted an administrative review of the events surrounding the arrests of two individuals on March 26, 2024, near Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and have implemented corrective measures.

BACKGROUND
• On March 26, Fisheries and Oceans Conservation and Protection officers arrested two individuals under the suspicion of fishing for elver without authorization.
• Fisheries and Oceans management conducted an administrative investigation into the events surrounding that arrest, and corrective measures were taken.

If pressed on the Minister’s External Review
• On March 26, 2024, a situation occurred in Shelburne County, Nova Scotia, involving the arrest and release of two Mi’kmaw individuals.
• On June 8, 2024, I announced that the Government of Canada would be launching a comprehensive external review to examine the events of March 26, 2024, specifically the policies, procedures and practices in place that govern conservation and protection activities.
• This external review must, and will, involve Indigenous leadership. Once this external review is concluded, a report with recommendations will be presented and made public.
 
If pressed on status of officers on December 11th, following reports that conservation and protection officers have called in sick in nova scotia on December 11:
• The Department does not comment on the leave status of officers. The Department continues to support officers in upholding the Fisheries Act.