This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning fisheries, aquaculture, shellfish, and marine conservation. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

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Dates: 2026-03-15 to 2026-03-21

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• FOPO Committee Reviews Main Estimates 2026-27: The House of Commons Fisheries and Oceans Committee will examine the Main Estimates (Votes 1, 5, and 10) for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on March 23, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with Minister Joanne Thompson and senior officials appearing.
• FOPO Committee to Examine Recreational and Traditional Fishing for Softshell Clam: On March 25, 2026, the Fisheries and Oceans Committee will hold a meeting from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. to hear from individual fishers, industry, and the Mi'gmaq Wolastoqey Indigenous Fisheries Management Association regarding recreational and traditional fishing for softshell clam (Mya arenaria).
• Senate Committee Studies Pacific Coast Commercial Fisheries Licence Regime: The Senate’s Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans will meet March 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to examine and report on the commercial fisheries licensing regime on Canada’s Pacific Coast, with witnesses from the BC Shrimp Trawlers' Association and Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters' Federation.
• Senate Committee Reviews Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and Wildlife Status: The Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources will meet March 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., reviewing topics including the 2026–2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and the 2025 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, with testimony from the Auditor General’s Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Federal Government News

Minister Thompson Leads Canadian Delegation at Seafood Expo North America

On March 18, 2026, Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson led Canada’s delegation to the Seafood Expo North America held in Boston, Massachusetts. The expo, running March 15–17, brought together industry and government representatives to discuss trade relations and promote Canadian seafood products in the largest export market. Minister Thompson, together with provincial colleagues from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and British Columbia, met with exhibitors and stakeholders about trade issues and opportunities. She confirmed the federal government's readiness to begin negotiations with provinces on a five-year renewal of Canada’s fisheries funds, which would impact sector investment levels and support innovation and market diversification. The delegation also discussed combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated fisheries activities through multi-jurisdictional coordination. Canada announced intentions for continued international promotion at the upcoming Seafood Expo Global in Spain, April 21–23.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Agriculture Minister MacDonald Engages on Agri-food and Seafood Trade in Boston

The Honourable Heath MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, attended the Seafood Expo North America alongside Fisheries Minister Thompson and several provincial leaders, opening the Canada Pavilion with the Premier of Prince Edward Island. The event showcased 133 Canadian exhibitors from eight provinces to more than 20,000 visitors. Minister MacDonald met with exporters and industry representatives including Raspberry Point Oysters and Cooke Aquaculture, and visited firms such as Stop & Shop and Bay Street Milling to reinforce Canada’s position as a trusted trade partner. Roundtable discussions were held with agri-food and seafood industry leaders, focusing on trade stability, supply chain integration, and market opportunities. Bilateral agri-food and seafood trade between Canada and the United States reached $100.2 billion (CAD) in 2025, with $6.0 billion from Canadian fish and seafood exports.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Federal Funding Enables Atlantic Canada Seafood Producers at SENA 2026

On March 16, 2026, the Government of Canada announced nearly $300,000 in support for Atlantic Canadian seafood exporters participating in the Seafood Expo North America. The funding, administered through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, allowed 24 companies from the four Atlantic provinces to operate under a unified 'Seafood from Canada' pavilion. This platform was designed to strengthen connections to international buyers and expand Canada’s access to global markets. According to federal data, Atlantic Canada exported $6.1 billion in seafood to more than 90 countries in 2024. The investment was presented by Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson on behalf of Minister Sean Fraser, underscoring the government’s focus on supporting SMEs’ export competitiveness.

Sources: www.canada.ca

National Freshwater Science Agenda Released to Direct Decadal Priorities

On March 19, Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin announced the National Freshwater Science Agenda during Canada Water Week. Developed after two years of engagement with over 800 contributors, including Indigenous organizations and science users, the Agenda outlines research themes such as bridging Western science with Indigenous Knowledge, water availability, land use stressors, ecosystem biodiversity, and freshwater economic research. The objective is to coordinate Canada’s freshwater science and guide knowledge generation for policy and management over the coming decade. The government signaled continued support for integrating freshwater science into regulatory and stewardship decisions impacting resource management, industry operations, and aquatic health.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Competition Bureau Addresses Regulatory Barriers in Shared Food Facilities

A Competition Bureau report released March 19, 2026, identifies regulatory inconsistencies affecting the operation of shared kitchens and food hubs that serve small food producers. The Bureau's analysis found that overlapping municipal, provincial, and federal requirements create market entry challenges for SMEs. Recommendations include harmonizing food safety rules across jurisdictions, clarifying inspection processes for shared-use space operators, and piloting regulatory innovations within these facilities. The Bureau’s recommendations are based on consultations with industry, regulators, and operators, and targets improved competitiveness for small food producers, which may affect supply chains in seafood value-added processing sectors.

Sources: www.canada.ca

CFIA Actions Against Mislabelling of Imported and Domestic Food Products

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency reported enforcement actions against five businesses for mislabeling products as Canadian, issuing $47,000 in fines since April 2025. Offenders included retail and processing firms such as Fortinos Etobicoke and Oxford Frozen Foods Inc. Penalties were levied following inspections and consumer complaints addressing inaccurate country of origin claims. The CFIA outlined its processes, from reviewing business operations to enforcing corrective measures and ongoing compliance monitoring. The Agency encourages industry and public reporting of potential labeling infractions and maintains resources to clarify legal labeling requirements for seafood and agri-food producers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canada Seafood Companies Attend SENA 2026

A backgrounder from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, dated March 16, listed the companies and organizations from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador participating at the 2026 Seafood Expo North America. Notable participants include Nova Scotia Seafood, Bay Shore Lobster, Raspberry Point Oysters, Lobster PEI, Badger Bay, and Whitecap International Seafood Exporters. Departments of Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Fisheries from Atlantic provinces coordinated the provincial exhibitions, supporting seafood marketing and export efforts in the US market.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Ontario Court Issues Fines for Fishing Regulation Violations

Three individuals in Windsor, Ontario, were fined a total of $600 for catching an over-limit of baitfish and using dip nets to catch species not designated as baitfish. All three received six-year fishing licence suspensions, and their equipment was forfeited.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• P.E.I. producers have ups and downs at Seafood Expo in Boston: Reaction from Prince Edward Island’s seafood exporters on the Boston trade show.
• Sailors visiting Vancouver brag of catching hundreds of crabs, investigation underway: Officials investigate reports of non-commercial over-harvesting in Vancouver.
• A do-or-die moment for one of Hawaii’s most contested trades: Coverage of regulatory pressures on Hawaii’s seafood trades.
• Opinion | You can’t have national security without food security. Can Canada really achieve both?: Examination of the link between food systems, national security, and government policy.
• Trawl ban push, shrimp struggles, and lobster declines: National Fisherman reports on current issues in US commercial fisheries.

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