Mr. Speaker, it is always an honour to rise in the House. Today I am tabling a petition on behalf of residents of Abbotsford—South Langley who are deeply concerned with the proposed changes to the salmon allocation policy that would decimate regular recreational fishing opportunities for coho and chinook salmon in British Columbia.
For generations, salmon has been managed as a common property resource held in trust by the government for the benefit of all Canadians. Altering this principle risks transforming a shared public resource into an exclusive privilege, which would limit access and erode public confidence in fishery management.
The petitioners call on the Minister of Fisheries to maintain the current salmon allocation policy while continuing to respect and uphold the cultural rights and traditions of all British Columbians.