Saskatchewan fishers optimistic with interlocutor’s recommendations to enhance the inland fishing industry

Press Release

Treaty 5, 6, 8 & 10 Territory. Leaders from Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC), Métis Nation Saskatchewan (MNS), and the Saskatchewan Cooperative Fisheries Limited (SCFL) welcome the recommendations made in the federal interlocutor’s final report to initiate a transition of the Fresh Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC) into a harvester-led co-operative for Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and the Northwest Territories.

On January 21, 2021, Honourable Bernadette Jordan, Minister of the Department of Fisheries, Oceans (DFO), issued a news release on receiving the final report by Kevin G. Anderson, the Interlocutor appointed to act as a neutral third party to lead the next steps of the transformation of FFMC. One of the report’s key recommendation is that the DFO continues to work with and provide additional financing to the Interim Committee of Inland Fish Harvesters, so that it may conduct due diligence and establish a “co-operative” under the management and control of fish harvesters to improve the FFMC.

“Prince Albert Grand Council is committed to support the Saskatchewan Cooperative Fisheries Limited (SCFL), which is the organization in Saskatchewan that represents all commercial fishers who depend on the inland freshwater commercial fishing industry for their livelihood. The transformation process to establish a harvester-led co-operative will honour and respect the voices and perspectives of in-land lake fishers and ensure increased participation of fishers at all levels of the decision-making apparatus. Most importantly, Treaty and Section 35 fishing harvesting rights will be protected and promoted under this new business governance model,” said PAGC Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte.

Minister Jordan stated in its DFO news release that the Government of Canada welcomes the recommendations that a harvester led co-operative should move quickly toward a negotiated agreement with DFO. The report recommended that the interim committee will have one year from the date that this support is available and that the DFO will assist them in securing external administrative and technical advisory support services. The provision of an effective business plan is a condition of transfer from the FFMC to a harvester-led co-operative.

“A new business governance model and strategic focus will require federal and provincial government legislative and policy changes that will reinforce the growth of Indigenous partnerships and ensure meaningful engagement and joint decision-making. Contributions from Métis and northern First Nations people will require marketing and revenue sharing agreements in the spirit of reconciliation,” said MNS President Glen McCallum.

“Fishing is a cultural way of life for First Nations and Métis peoples in northern Saskatchewan. SCFL recommends a 3-year time frame as recommended by the 2017 Ministerial Advisory Panel on the transformation of the FFMC. Northern fishers have always wanted the FFMC as marketing agent because as a Crown Corporation, it has borrowing power. This view has not changed. They do agree there has to be change on the governance model,” said SCFL Vice President John Beatty.

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Media enquiries may be directed to:

Contact Name:  Tina Pelletier, Executive Office – Communications, Prince Albert Grand Council

Office: 306-953-7283 Email: tpelletier@pagc.net

Julia Burns, Métis Nation–Saskatchewan Director of Communications

Email jburns@mns.work

Phone 306-850-1670

John Beatty

Vice-President of Saskatchewan Cooperative Fisheries Limited

Cell: 306-960-6025 Email: jsbeatty10@gmail.com

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