Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning, committee members and everyone. Hello, presenters.
My name is Mike Durant. I'm here to highlight the effectiveness of the Atlantic Salmon Conservation Foundation's model in supporting the theme of economic growth and ensuring Canada's competitiveness. I've been involved in watershed restoration activities for many years in several capacities. I currently serve on the provincial advisory committee for ASCF. I'm the president of Central Queens Wildlife Federation, where we do work on two rivers in Prince Edward Island. I also serve currently as the chair for the Prince Edward Island Watershed Alliance. It's an umbrella group that serves and supports all 24 watershed groups on P.E.I.
ASCF was established in 2007 and initially awarded a conditional grant of $30 million. This grant was placed into a trust fund, and the proceeds of that trust fund are used to invest in project work across five provinces. The ASCF trust fund currently provides approximately $1 million in funding annually, and as I said, that is invested in five different provinces—the four Atlantic Canada provinces and Quebec. On average, P.E.I. receives about $100,000 for project proposals.
ASCF directly contributes to economic growth in several ways. It creates jobs through its funding program, particularly in rural areas. It also encourages volunteer participation. We have many different groups that have lots of volunteers on staff. That makes a big difference in these local communities. In terms of ecotourism, the recreational fishery for wild Atlantic salmon has been assessed by ASF as contributing approximately $255 million annually. ASCF projects directly enhance the salmon habitat, ensuring that the value of this fishery will continue to grow. ASCF-funded projects leverage other sources at a four-to-one ratio. It stimulates economic growth and enables groups to pursue projects they would be unable to complete on their own.
The ASCF governance model allows for each province, through its provincial advisory committees, to focus on local priorities, which is something very important. It's effective and efficient. The grant process is very timely. It's quick. The money that is given to groups is usually available very early in the year. It's really critically important. Our field season, for most crews, runs from about April through September. When the dollars get into the hands of groups in the March-April time frame, that's great. Sometimes, with the federal programs, I've seen monies arrive for groups two days before the end of the fiscal year. That's very damaging. It's hard to do work in that situation.
As well, it develops the capacity of local groups. ASCF encourages and supports collaboration among community groups, NGOs, aboriginal organizations, and research institutions, which in turn builds further capacity in the sharing of best practices. It's a fully sustainable and permanent investment that's available. The proceeds of the trust fund are what's used, so the trust fund remains in perpetuity.
Again, the difference between ASCF's model and a government program similar to, say, the coastal restoration fund, which is a program that exists only for five years, is that ASCF is a permanent model, so that money is available.
In terms of my recommendation, I would like to see the government consider an investment of $50 million into the Atlantic salmon endowment fund. This would enable ASCF to approximately double its capacity to fund project work.
In summary, I'd like to highlight that ASCF directly contributes to economic growth and ensuring Canada's competitiveness. It does so through its permanent and sustainable business model; its effective and efficient management of the program; its direct support to preserve and support Atlantic salmon habitat, and the resulting increase in value of the ecotourism and the salmon recreational fishery; and its support for local community groups to develop capacity and increase community engagement.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
That concludes my statement.