Ottawa, Ontario - Pacific salmon play an enormous cultural, economic and environmental role on the West Coast of Canada. These fish have complex life cycles which include migrating between freshwater and marine environments. Protecting Pacific salmon species and aquatic ecosystems in Canada remains at the forefront of our priorities.
Today, Member of Parliament Lloyd Longfield, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Lebouthillier, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, announced nearly $1.5 million in funding over two and a half years to the University of Guelph. This funding will support research into the potential effects of diluted bitumen on adult migrating sockeye salmon, focusing on reproductive success and the survival of their offspring. The findings from this study will deepen our understanding of how exposure to diluted bitumen may impact Pacific salmon, and will further strengthen Canada's oil spill prevention and response planning capacity.
This project will actively engage Indigenous communities, while underscoring our shared commitment to protecting Pacific salmon, their habitat and the broader ecosystem, cultures, and livelihoods that depend on them.
The Oceans Protection Plan is a Canadian success story. When Indigenous Peoples, industry, communities, experts, academia, and government work together to protect our environment, grow our economy, and support good jobs across the country, we deliver real results. Canada's Oceans Protection Plan will keep our oceans and coasts healthy, advance reconciliation, and build a clean future for our children and grandchildren.
