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: 2026-04-19 to 2026-04-25

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

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

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• House of Commons Fisheries and Oceans Committee—Review of the Fisheries Act and Softshell Clam Fishing: On April 27, 2026, the Fisheries and Oceans Committee will meet in camera from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to consider the draft report for the Review of the Fisheries Act. On April 29, 2026, the committee convenes from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for a public session (witnesses from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans, and Environment Canada) focusing on recreational and traditional softshell clam fishing, followed by an in-camera review of the draft report.
• Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans Reviews Pacific Coast Commercial Licensing: On April 28, 2026, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans will examine the commercial fisheries licensing regime on Canada's Pacific Coast. The meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. in Room W110, 1 Wellington St., Ottawa, with proceedings held in camera.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee Examines Food Security in Canada: On April 30, 2026, the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry will review the role of agriculture and agri-food in Canadian food security, beginning at 8:00 a.m. with expert witnesses in Room B45, Senate of Canada Building.

Federal Government News

Minister Thompson Strengthens Canada–EU Fisheries Cooperation, Market Access during Brussels Mission

On April 23, 2026, in Brussels, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries, met with EU Commissioners on fisheries and environment to advance trade, address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and discuss marine conservation. The meetings featured collaborative efforts to align conservation goals between Canada and the EU, tackling threats to fish populations in both jurisdictions. Canadian priorities included promoting science-based fisheries management and improved seafood market access, along with discussion of Canada's submissions to the EU’s ongoing review of seal product regulations. Minister Thompson also raised the economic significance of seal harvest for Indigenous and coastal communities. Further dialogue touched on Canada's New Nature Strategy and opportunities to clarify the EU rules for Canadian seafood products. The mission concluded with agreements to continue technical exchanges and maintain open communication on trade, enforcement, and biodiversity matters affecting Canadian seafood in the EU market.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Diversifies Seafood Exports after Strong Showing at Seafood Expo Global 2026 in Spain

From April 21–23, 2026, Minister Joanne Thompson led a Canadian delegation at Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona. Meetings with exporters, European buyers, and senior officials from Spain, the EU, and UK confirmed sustained European demand for Canadian seafood, notably frozen and value-added products such as lobster, snow crab, scallops, and cod. A partnership with Spanish retailer La Sirena saw Canadian seafood sales increase by 80% over two years, totaling $2.77 million CAD in 2025-2026. Discussions with the UK retailer Marks & Spencer covered procurement of Atlantic cod from the Newfoundland-based Icewater Seafoods and addressed long-term recovery prospects for the species via premium UK retail channels. The federal government invested $175,000 in a Canada pavilion at the Expo, supporting 18 Atlantic Canadian companies through shared exhibit space and business programming. Engagements with EU importers and industry sustainability initiatives were central themes. The event reinforced Canada's competitive position in Europe under the Canada–EU CETA framework, at a time of evolving global trade conditions.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Atlantic Canadian Food Companies Launch Trade Mission to SIAL Canada for Market Expansion

On April 24, 2026, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency announced a $383,836 federal investment supporting 18 food and beverage companies and eight buyers in a domestic trade mission to SIAL Canada, to be held in Montreal from April 29 to May 1. The effort, involving Minister Heath MacDonald and Minister Sean Fraser, is designed to assist Atlantic firms in expanding exports, developing domestic supply chains, and gathering new market intelligence. This mission forms part of government initiatives to reduce internal trade barriers and contribute to overall economic resilience and competitiveness for regional producers, including the seafood sector, through enhanced partnerships and on-site engagements with new buyers.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Japan Partner to Address Methane, Marine Biodiversity, and Ocean Microplastic Pollution

At the third Canada–Japan Ministerial Dialogue on Climate and Environment in Paris on April 24, 2026, Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin met Japanese counterpart Hirotaka Ishihara to launch cooperative actions on methane emissions, ocean microplastics, and biodiversity protection. Canada will host an industry event in Tokyo focused on methane regulation and support Japanese participation in the October 2026 North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) meeting in Canada. Both governments agreed on expanded technical cooperation regarding ocean plastics, with Canadian data supporting the Japan-led Atlas of Ocean Microplastics and collaborative research in the North Pacific. The initiatives build on the strategic roadmap laid after the March 2026 Prime Ministers’ meeting and align with the implementation of the Kunming–Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework, with further review of progress scheduled in 2027.

Sources: www.canada.ca

StatsCan Releases 2025 Exporter Data and 2022-2023 Environmental R&D Expenditure Figures

Statistics Canada reported on April 24, 2026, that the number of Canadian enterprises exporting goods marginally decreased by 0.2% to 47,948 in 2025. While small- and medium-sized enterprise exports fell by 0.3%, there was a 2.7% increase in large exporting enterprises. This update may affect analysis and benchmarking for seafood exporters tracking their position among national exporters. Separately, on April 21, 2026, StatsCan published new datasets detailing business research and development expenditures on environmental and clean technology products for 2022 and 2023, with sector-specific details available in the linked reports.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Manitoba Individual Fined for Illegal Fishing and Licence Violation in Ontario Waters

On April 24, 2026, the Ontario Court of Justice fined Michael Friesen of Winnipeg $2,700 for fishing without a licence and possession of prohibited-size walleye and northern pike on the Winnipeg River near Kenora. Friesen is also prohibited from fishing in Ontario for one year.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

CFIA Consultation on Aquatic Animal Susceptible Species List Amendments Now Open

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is soliciting comments until May 1, 2026, on proposed changes to the Susceptible Species of Aquatic Animals List, potentially affecting regulatory protocols for aquatic animal disease management.

Sources: inspection.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• From collapse to abundance? Why Northern cod could soon get sustainability certification from the Marine Stewardship Council: Prospects for Marine Stewardship Council certification of Northern cod stocks.
• Concern about impact of salmon allocation review by federal government: Industry and community responses to federal salmon allocation policy review.
• A Salmon war is churning up the waters of the Atlantic provinces: Attention on disputes over salmon resource management in Atlantic Canada.

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