Re-elected BC NDP will work to double the Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund

CAMPBELL RIVER — John Horgan was back on Vancouver Island today, promising that a re-elected BC NDP would continue bringing people, communities, and governments together to protect and revitalize BC’s wild salmon populations.

“Wild salmon are crucial to the success of our economy, the prosperity of coastal communities, and the lives of Indigenous peoples,” said Horgan. “The challenges affecting wild salmon stocks in BC are complex. It’s important that we work with people and communities to find solutions.”

After 16 years of BC Liberals ignoring the diminishing salmon populations, Horgan said he was proud of the progress his government has made. He pointed specifically to partnering with the federal government on the $143 million BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund, which he said a re-elected BC NDP government would work to double.

“Our BC NDP government has worked hard to ensure wild salmon are protected for future generations,” said Horgan. “We have invested in projects that will help us support wild salmon stocks and fisheries, which are vital to coastal communities, Indigenous peoples, and industries. Together, we will continue that important work in the years to come.”

Horgan said he would also build on the historic, government-to-government Broughton Archipelago process, which brought Indigenous peoples and industry together to create a more sustainable future for all communities and workers.

John Horgan and the BC NDP will work to protect BC wild salmon by:

• Supporting innovation in fish hatcheries
• Working to process more BC-caught fish in BC
• Stepping up protection of fish habitat through our biodiversity strategy
• Creating a watershed security strategy
• Establish a Watershed Security Fund to fund Indigenous and local initiatives