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October 31st, 2012

Conservatives must act on Cohen Commission Report recommendations

Following today’s release of the Cohen Commission report on the decline of the Fraser River sockeye salmon, the NDP is calling on the Conservative government to immediately implement the Commission’s recommendations.

“New Democrats understand the importance of wild salmon to British Columbians, and we are calling on the federal government to respect the findings of the report and take immediate action,” said Fin Donnelly, West Coast Fisheries critic (New Westminster—Coquitlam). “The Conservatives have been dismantling environmental protections and this report is further proof they are going in the wrong direction with their short-sighted and irresponsible cuts.”

The Cohen Commission was initiated in August 2010 after a startling low return of Fraser River sockeye salmon in 2009.

"This report has national implications for our fisheries management,” said NDP Fisheries critic Robert Chisholm (Dartmouth—Cole Harbour). "We have seen fish stock declines throughout the country. This report lays out a recommended roadmap toward the right track and the Conservatives need to finally take action."