Back To The Future? Federal Government Introduces Amendments To Fisheries Act: Initial Thoughts

On February 6, 2018, the federal government announced amendments to the Fisheries Act (the "Act") aimed at restoring what it describes as 'lost protections" and "incorporating modern safeguards" to protect fish and fish habitat. The Act, regarded as one of Canada's principal environmental laws as it is the primary federal statute governing fisheries resources in Canada, includes important provisions for conserving and protecting fish and fish habitat that affect a variety of industries.

The proposed amendments result from a process launched by the government in October 2016, when the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans asked the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (the "Committee") to review changes to the Act made in 2012 by the previous government of then Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Report of the Fisheries and Oceans Committee on the Fisheries Act review, entitled "Review of Changes Made in 2012 to the Fisheries Act: Enhancing The