OTTAWA - The Honourable Robert G. Thibault, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, today announced that technical clarifications to the Aboriginal Communal Fishing Licence Regulations (ACFLRs), and other related regulations, have been approved by the Governor in Council. The clarifications were made in response to a report to Parliament on some aspects of these regulations that was tabled on June 3, 2002 by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

"It is important to note that the regulations are valid and in force", said Minister Thibault. "Most of the changes the Committee recommended in its report were of a technical nature. I asked my officials to draft these amendments to provide additional clarity and to avoid uncertainty about the legal authority to properly manage and regulate the Aboriginal fishery."

Minister Thibault confirmed that the technical clarifications will not affect the Government's policies and programs on Aboriginal fishing.

The ACFLRs are an important component of the Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy and the response to the Marshall decision. They provide for conservation of the resource and the orderly management of Aboriginal fishing. The Minister confirmed that these remain priorities of his Department.

Minister Thibault also confirmed that his Department would further review the Committee's report and develop a formal response to table in Parliament.

Media contacts:

Jennifer Savoy
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
(613) 996-0076

Sophie Galarneau
Manager, Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ottawa
(613) 998-1530