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e-2675 (Fisheries)

E-petition
Initiated by Sonja Wood from Hantsport, Nova Scotia

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Whereas:
  • The Windsor Causeway in Nova Scotia was constructed across the Avon River in 1968 with gates to manage water levels but without proper fish passage and, to this day it, impedes migrations of fishes, including the at Risk Inner Bay of Fundy Wild Atlantic Salmon and American Eel;
  • The gates have been occasionally opened for the past 50+ years to control mainly water levels for Lake Pesquid, and more recently to facilitate improved fish passage during periods of high water levels;
  • The first salmon in 50+ years, was caught last summer beyond the causeway in the upper reaches of the Avon River;
  • The gates have never been opened to facilitate the annual runs of Wild Atlantic Salmon during their Summer and Fall spawning migrations, which has led to their extirpation in the Avon River; and
  • The Department of Fisheries and Oceans now expects improved efforts for the fish of this river.
We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to request the Province of Nova Scotia ensure the gates at the Windsor Causeway are kept open for an extended period of time, during every incoming and outgoing tide to allow a more natural method of fish passage during their seasonal migrations.

Response by the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Bernadette Jordan

The Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal has commenced construction to twin and upgrade parts of existing Highway 101 near Windsor in Hants County, Nova Scotia. Upgrading of the tidal gate and installing fish passage structures at the outlet to the Avon River will be part of Phase 2 the twinning project.

In early November 2020, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) received a Fisheries Act request for project review with detailed design and operation for fish passage for the proposed replacement tidal gate. DFO will conduct a review under the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act including an evaluation of the effectiveness of fish passage for migratory species likely to use the Avon River, such as Atlantic Salmon, Gaspereau, and American Eel.

In the meantime, DFO continues to work with the operator of the existing structure, Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture (NSDA), to maximize fish passage within the limitations of the aging structure.

In May 2020, DFO issued a Ministerial Order to NSDA improve fish passage during the spring migration, including requirements for additional monitoring of the existing tidal gates. Operating a structure that is at its end of life, while attempting to provide fish passage and maintain the primary purpose of flood control, represents challenges.

DFO has been and remains involved in efforts to improve fish passage at the existing structure location, and we will continue consultations with the Mi’kmaq of Nova Scotia on any path forward to address fish migrations.

Open for signature
June 15, 2020, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
July 15, 2020, at 3:27 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Gord Johns (Courtenay—Alberni)
October 23, 2020 (Petition No. 432-00146)
Government response tabled
December 7, 2020
Photo - Gord Johns
Courtenay—Alberni
New Democratic Party Caucus
British Columbia