First Nation takes major ownership in St. Jean’s cannery – Times Colonist
May 13, 2016
For the first time in more than 50 years, Nanaimo’s St. Jean’s Cannery and Smokehouse will be controlled by someone other than the St. Jean family.
NCN Cannery LP, owned by a group from Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation, has joined the 55-year-old business as its majority shareholder in a move the company said will strengthen seafood production on Vancouver Island.
St. Jean’s marketing manager Derek Perkins said the partnership is a win-win. “Doing a partnership with the First Nations allows us to take advantage of their fishing quota as well,” he said, noting the business was built on sport fishing and wild salmon.
Perkins said the expectation is it will be business as usual for the next five or so years, with no significant change or expansion.
