October 11, 2026 to October 17, 2026

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.

Want to see GR activities in areas of the economy related to the Fisheries channel? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Environment and Agri-Food. Also consider subscribing to our Fisheries - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

📋 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

• Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee to Examine Pacific Licensing and Inshore Independence: On October 22, the Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans will hold a videoconference on the commercial fisheries licensing regime on Canada’s Pacific Coast and examine independence of commercial inshore fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. Meeting is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. in Room W110, with witnesses to be confirmed.
• Senate Fisheries and Oceans Committee to Hear from BC Salmon Purse Seine Association: On October 20, the Senate’s Fisheries and Oceans Committee will discuss the Pacific commercial licensing regime and future agenda, with testimony from Emily Orr, Executive Director of the BC Salmon Purse Seine Association. Session will be held in Room W110 at 6:30 p.m.
• Senate Agriculture and Forestry Committee to Address Food Security: On October 22, the Senate’s Agriculture and Forestry Committee will meet at 8:00 a.m. to examine the agriculture and agri-food sector’s contribution to food security in Canada. Witnesses to be announced.

Federal Government News

Atlantic Fisheries Fund Renewed with Joint $300 Million Investment by Federal and Atlantic Governments

On October 15, Fisheries and Oceans Canada formalized an agreement with Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador to renew the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF) for five more years. The new $300 million investment is split with Ottawa providing 60% and the provinces 40%, targeting market diversification, innovation, infrastructure upgrades, and science partnerships. Industry-facing activities under the updated Market Diversification pillar now permit eligible projects focusing on regulatory compliance, eco-labeling, certification, and market access research. Applicants may also apply for infrastructure funds related to adopting new technology and for science partnerships addressing the shifting ocean environment. Eligible recipients include commercial enterprises, industry associations, non-profits, post-secondary institutions, and Indigenous organizations, provided activities are rooted in a participating province's fish and seafood sector. The AFF's application portal opened October 15.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Government Reaffirms International Maritime Law: No Unilateral Fees or Restrictions on Navigation

Global Affairs Canada, in a statement released October 12, joined 33 other countries and all EU member states in supporting a pledge to uphold the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and to reject unilateral fees, tolls, or restrictions on international straits. The statement calls for sustained multilateral cooperation and maintains that no state should impose discriminatory measures on lawful navigation. The federal position reflects ongoing concerns about global trade stability tied to unimpeded maritime shipping, which has implications for seafood exporters relying on international routes.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canadian Coast Guard Dedicates Final Bay Class Lifeboat, Marking Shipbuilding Milestone

The Canadian Coast Guard held a dedication ceremony in Rivière-au-Renard, Quebec, for the CCGS Baie de Gaspé, the 20th and final Bay Class Search and Rescue Lifeboat built under Canada’s National Shipbuilding Strategy. The new vessel, constructed by Chantier Naval Forillon, is based in Rivière-au-Renard and expands the Coast Guard’s rescue capabilities in the Gaspé region. The NSS continues to drive fleet renewal and local shipbuilding employment.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada and Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation Reach $17.45 Million Settlement on Treaty Land Entitlement

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Shoal Lake No. 40 First Nation announced a $17.45 million settlement agreement resolving a specific claim related to seven islands in Indian Bay, initially promised under Treaty 3. The agreement enables the First Nation to invest in priorities such as land purchases, infrastructure, and economic development.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada Pledges $50 Million to Canadian Food Innovation Network

On October 15, Minister Mélanie Joly announced $50 million in new funding for the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN). The funding originates from the Strategic Response Fund under Canada's National Food Security Strategy and aims to strengthen domestic food processing and fortify supply chains. CFIN will use the funds to help over 200 small and medium-sized food and beverage processors adopt automation, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing, projecting support for over 450 jobs.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Expert Taskforce on Natural Capital Accounting and Nature Financing Convenes First In-person Meeting

The Honourable Nathalie Provost, Secretary of State (Nature), met with the national taskforce on Natural Capital Accounting and Nature Financing for its first in-person session on October 1-2. The meeting built a shared mandate in advising on public and private investment approaches to environmental protection, conservation, and economic development. Results from the session will contribute to intergovernmental ministerial discussions later in Toronto and upcoming biodiversity forums.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Statistics Canada Releases September 2026 Rural Employment Data by Industry

A new interactive dashboard from Statistics Canada provides updated employment figures for rural sectors, including fisheries, as of September 2026. The dataset details geographical and sector-specific labour metrics for policymakers and industry analysts.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Provincial Government News

Nova Scotia Charges Two Seafood Companies with Illegal Lobster Buying

Independent Fisheries and 3329874 Nova Scotia Ltd. have been charged under the provincial Fisheries and Coastal Resources Act after a two-year investigation into alleged illegal lobster buying activities in southwestern Nova Scotia.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Nova Scotia Allocates $94.8 Million in New AFF 2.0 Fisheries Funding

The Government of Nova Scotia confirmed that the province will receive $94.8 million under the renewed Atlantic Fisheries Fund, designed to support strategic sectoral investments in productivity, diversification, and export readiness.

Sources: news.novascotia.ca

Ontario Court Imposes $10,000 Fine for Unlawful Lake Erie Fishing Practices

A Southern Ontario commercial fishing captain received a $10,000 fine and probation for improper gill net disposal and fish wastage, following a 2025 incident involving abandoned nets and decaying fish on Lake Erie’s shoreline.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Fines and Orders Issued in Lake Nipissing Lake Sturgeon Habitat Destruction Case

The West Nipissing Company Inc., Deep Construction 2018 Inc., and Timothy Zaba were fined and ordered to make payments totaling $175,000 to fisheries research after being convicted of destroying Lake Sturgeon habitat in connection with unauthorized construction along the Sturgeon River.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Government Consultations

Public Engagement Toward a National Water Security Strategy Underway

The Canada Water Agency is conducting public engagement until October 25 to inform the country's first National Water Security Strategy, focused on safeguarding freshwater ecosystems and water resources.

Sources: www.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Heart disease found in 5 of 7 open-net salmon farms: study: Researchers report cardiac disease discovered in most open-net salmon farms sampled.
• Report finds Argyle municipal actions on aquaculture not criminal, but public concerns legitimate: An independent review addresses transparency issues around municipal aquaculture permitting in Nova Scotia.
• 2 N.S. seafood companies charged in relation to allegations of illegal lobster buying: CBC covers prosecution of Nova Scotia seafood businesses facing lobster buying charges.
• Fisheries minister travelling to China ahead of lobster, crab tariff deadline: Federal fisheries minister schedules meetings in China as seafood tariff deadline approaches.
• From Ocean to Animal Well-Being: Acadian Launches Tasco Optimized Feed Technology Designed to Boost Resilience and Productivity: Acadian introduces enhanced seaweed-based feed product for livestock and aquaculture sectors.
• Michigan DNR to track fish stocking using 23andMe-style gene testing: Michigan to implement genetic identification in its fish stocking programs.

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