Improving the health of Pacific salmon and ensuring a sustainable fishing sector is a priority for both the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

“The second federal-provincial funding phase of the BCSRIF both acknowledges the communities who made a positive impact on salmon habitat and recovery, and reflects the deep Indigenous and public commitment to returning our iconic salmon species to abundance.”

The Honourable Joyce Murray, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard

“Pacific wild salmon are an iconic species in the Province of British Columbia. They are at the foundation of Indigenous culture and way of life and are an integral part of B.C.’s food security, ecosystems and economy. With the tremendous strides the BCSRIF program has already made in restoring wild salmon habitat and helping populations recover, doubling funding now is absolutely the right thing to do as we continue our collaborative work with First Nations and Canada to support sustainable fisheries.”

The Honourable Josie Osborne, B.C. Minister of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship 

• Launched in March 2019, the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF) has made investments in support of habitat protection and restoration, ensuring the fish and seafood sector in British Columbia is positioned for long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

• Ninety-seven projects have received BCSRIF funding since its inception, representing an investment of more than $126 million in the rebuilding of wild Pacific salmon stocks and supporting the BC fish and seafood sector.

• Additional information on projects selected for BCSRIF funding can be found online here.

• The BCSRIF is a 70 per cent federal, 30 per cent provincial cost-shared program.

• Budget 2021 committed an additional $100 million in new federal funding to expand the BCSRIF program, as a key component of the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI), bringing Canada’s total contribution to $200 million over seven years. With the Government of British Columbia’s mandate commitment to double its investment, the Province is providing $85.7 million over seven years.

• The Government of Canada's Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative is the largest-ever government investment in efforts to save Pacific salmon. Through this investment, Canada will undertake a strategic and coordinated long-term response, rooted in collaborative action, to stabilize and restore Pacific salmon for the ecosystems, people, and communities that depend upon their sustainability.

• BCSRIF funding is open to applications from Indigenous communities, commercial organizations in the wild fisheries and aquaculture sectors, recreational fisheries, as well as non-commercial organizations such as universities and research institutions, industry associations, and conservation groups.

• The applications process for the new BCSRIF phase will open on September 15 and close on November 15, 2022.

Associated links

• Canadian Fish and Seafood Opportunities Fund
• British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund
• Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative

Kevin Lemkay                        
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans
and the Canadian Coast Guard                     
613-992-3474
Kevin.Lemkay@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-990-7537
Media.xncr@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Media Relations
Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship
250-208-2743

 

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