After an initial examination under its general mandate, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans encourages further study of the implementation of Indigenous rights-based fisheries, specifically of the rights affirmed by the Marshall decision.

Between April and June 2021, the committee heard from chiefs of Mi’kmaq and Maliseet communities, representatives of fisheries associations, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and officials from Fisheries and Oceans Canada, among others.

Common themes raised in witness testimony included Indigenous rights, resource conservation, Indigenous knowledge, science, consultations and negotiations, education and open dialogue or the lack thereof, as well as systemic racism.

Given the important and serious concerns presented by witnesses, the committee asserts additional work needs to be done on this topic. Senators on the committee look forward to exploring these themes further and to finding solutions to the concerns brought to their attention.

The committee would like to sincerely thank all those who have contributed to its study on this subject so far.

The committee invites those interested in this subject to read the testimony provided by witnesses to date. Those who would like to share their experiences or knowledge on this subject are invited to do so in one of two ways: by providing the committee with a written submission or by indicating their interest in appearing as a witness at a future meeting.

The committee looks forward to continuing its work on this subject when Parliament resumes.

Associated Links

• Learn more about the committee.
• Watch or read witness testimony from the study.
• Learn how to participate in a Senate committee meeting.
• Follow the committee on social media using the hashtag #POFO.
• Sign up for the Senate eNewsletter.

For more information:

Ben Silverman
Public Relations Officer | Senate of Canada
613-614-1180 | media@sen.parl.gc.ca