Question Period Note: Implementation of the Modernized Fisheries Act

• The Government has invested $419.7 million since 2018 as part of ongoing efforts to implement the Fisheries Act.
• My Department plays a key role in providing Fisheries Act authorizations for significant development projects across Canada including energy, transportation, infrastructure, electrical, critical minerals, and forestry projects. Last year, my Department reviewed more than 4,800 proposals for projects near water and issued 239 authorizations under the
Fisheries Act.
• Implementation includes funding for the Indigenous Habitat Participation Program, which supports the participation of Indigenous peoples in the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.
• My Department works to ensure that fish and fish habitat are conserved, protected, and restored for future generations in a way that respects Indigenous rights and supports sustainable development.

• The Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard’s mandate letter published December 16, 2021, committed the Minister to support sustainable, stable, prosperous fisheries through the continued implementation of the Fisheries Act.
• To accomplish this, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) engages with proponents of projects in or near water to protect fish and fish habitat by providing information on how to comply with the fish and fish habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act and related regulations.
• DFO reviews over 5,000 development proposals (referrals) annually, and issues over 200 authorizations. DFO achieves an average of 90 per cent compliance rate with our service delivery standards to confirm that applications for authorizations are complete and adequate within the regulated 60-day time limit as well as a 100 per cent compliance rate for making the authorization decisions within the 90-day time limit.
• Since 2019, DFO has completed three waves of engagement with Indigenous peoples, partners, stakeholders, and the public on development of policies, frameworks, instruments, and guidance. Additional rounds of engagement will be undertaken as future policies, frameworks, and guidance are developed.
• The Minister of Fisheries participates in the Ministerial Working Group on Regulatory Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects and DFO works in collaboration with the Privy Council Office, the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, and other departments and agencies to advance the clean growth initiatives outlined in the Cabinet Directive on Regulatory and Permitting Efficiency for Clean Growth Projects.
• In 2018, the Government allocated $284.2 million over five years (2018-19 to 2022-23) to implement changes to the Fisheries Act. Part of this allocation included a new $50 million grants and contributions program covering the period 2018-19 to 2022-23, which provided for increased participation of Indigenous peoples in the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat.
o The Indigenous Habitat Participation Program supports Indigenous participation in consultation on project authorization decisions under the Fisheries Act, participation in the development of policy and regulatory initiatives, and collaborative projects and capacity building for communities.
• Budget 2024 allocated $33 million over five years, from 2024-2029, to support fish stock assessments and rebuild depleted fish stocks to further support Fisheries Act implementation. Budget 2023 provided $135.5 million over two years (2023-24, 2024-25) for continued Fisheries Act implementation.

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