This Oceans Day speak up for the Fisheries Act

The federal government is rushing through sweeping changes to Canada’s environmental laws. Significant changes to the Fisheries Act are tucked away in the massive Budget Bill (Bill C-38). These amendments will strip long-standing protections from water resources and fish habitat, leaving waterways vulnerable to pollution and putting fish populations at risk. Take action.Four former federal Fisheries Ministers are joining together across party lines to oppose the changes to the Fisheries Act.Sierra Club BC is speaking out for nature and democracy. The Fisheries Act is just one example of sweeping changes to our environmental laws that threaten our air, water, wildlife and communities. Also included in the budget bill are changes that appear to be designed to streamline approval of controversial projects such as the proposed expansion of oil supertankers and pipelines on our coast.

Today, June 8, is World Oceans Day. Please call federal Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield and voice your concerns. His phone number is 613-992-1067, or phone his constituency office at 506- 452-4110. You can also call this toll-free number: 1-866-599-4999 (ask for Minister Ashfield’s office).

And to make sure that your concerns go on the record, please put them in writing. Send a personal letter to keith.ashfield@parl.gc.ca and copy it to your own MP. Or use our online action centre to write to Fisheries and Oceans Minister Keith Ashfield and Prime Minister Stephen Harper and ask them to stop the proposed changes to the Fisheries Act. Get more information here.

Please help us protect our oceans, rivers and lakes.

Sincerely,

George Heyman
Executive Director
Sierra Club BC