Canada: Ottawa has no data to support its plan to ban salmon farms in British Columbia

The Canadian government, led by Prime Minister Trudeau, is facing criticism over its plan to phase out ocean-based fish farming in British Columbia by 2029, a decision aimed at pleasing anti-fish farming activists but lacking scientific evidence to support the claim that it will improve wild salmon populations. This lack of data has raised concerns among fisheries experts, the industry, and salmon-farming First Nations about the potential economic devastation the ban could cause, with estimates putting the compensation needed at $9 billion. Despite the lack of evidence and advice from their own scientists, political leaders have ignored the positive findings on the environmental impact of modern, well-regulated salmon farming and the industry's contribution to providing a sustainable source of protein and generating over $1.142 billion for the British Columbia economy. The proposal has been met with opposition from various stakeholders, including the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, which has called for a pause on the ban due to its disagreement with the scientific justification and concerns over the potential erosion of science-based decision-making in Canada.