Mr. Speaker, I am tabling a petition on behalf of constituents in Mission—Matsqui—Abbotsford who are deeply concerned about proposed changes to the salmon allocation policy, which would decimate recreational fishing opportunities for coho and chinook in British Columbia.
Recreational fishers fully recognize conservation and first nations' constitutionally protected food, social, ceremonial and commercial fisheries. For generations, salmon have been managed by the government as a common property resource held in trust for the benefit of all Canadians. Changing this common property principle risks turning a shared public resource into an exclusive privilege that would reduce access for many Canadians and undermine confidence in fisheries management. Petitioners note that it would be devastating to our tourism economy and the millions of dollars that flow into conservation efforts. Constituents are calling on the Minister of Fisheries to leave current salmon allocation policies alone and uphold the cultural rights and traditions of all British Columbians.