The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, is profiling action and reform across Newfoundland and Labrador’s fisheries, wildlife, agriculture, land management and forestry sectors in 2024.
The fall sitting of the House of Assembly saw introduction of legislation to advance free enterprise in the fishery, sweeping changes to the Lands Act to remove barriers and shorten approval times for Crown lands applicants, amendments to the Animal Health and Protection Act to support the humane treatment of animals, and plans to establish an Atlantic Wildfire Centre.
In November, Minister Byrne announced a 10-point plan to advance free enterprise in the fishing sector, based on three pillars: a return to a more traditional form of collective bargaining, more competition through increased processing capacity, and strengthened controls over corporate concentration. Based on this plan, amendments to the Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act have passed in the House of Assembly that give harvesters and processors increased flexibility to choose whether to utilize a traditional collective bargaining model or to continue with the existing price-setting model.
In November, legislation and new measures to transform Crown land approvals, access and wait times were passed in the House of Assembly. Changes included new actions to better support title seekers trying to acquire legal ownership of Crown land based on adverse possession, and a new Primary Residence Property Title Program to offer a quick and affordable option for people seeking to clarify and secure property and title of their primary residence.
Tuesday, December 10, saw the launch of a Crown Lands Application Portal for new personal, commercial and government Crown land use applications. The portal enables people to submit supporting documents, maps and applicable fees online. Quitclaim deed applicants under the new Primary Residence Property Title Program will also have the option to apply via the new, user-friendly portal.
Changes to the Animal Health and Protection Act also passed in the House of Assembly in November, which updated and modernized the legislation, provided clarification of some of the language and specific definitions used throughout the Act, enabled designated enforcement officials to issue compliance orders, and increased fines and penalties for animal cruelty offences. These changes, which passed unanimously and received strong public and stakeholder support, will help ensure the legislation continues to reflect the highest possible standards for animal welfare.
In October 2024, the Provincial Government announced plans for an Atlantic Wildfire Centre in Central Newfoundland, with operational infrastructure in Labrador, to strengthen and enhance efforts to protect communities and forests and provide leadership and expertise in wildfire fighting and prevention. This followed an active forest fire season in the province in 2024, with skilled and dedicated firefighting personnel managing two major wildfires and collaborating with Fire and Emergency Services to manage community evacuations in Labrador.
Other highlights in 2024 include:
- Announced funding to support the establishment of a sustainable redfish fishery for Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters, as well as a new Harvester Enterprise Loan Program to expand support for independent fish harvesters and position the sector for future success. Through the federal-provincial Atlantic Fisheries Fund, $24.5 million is also supporting infrastructure, innovation, and science partnership initiatives to advance and modernize the fisheries and aquaculture industry through improvements in quality, productivity and sustainability.
- Growing and strengthening the province’s agriculture sector with an investment of $12 million through both the federal-provincial Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership and the Provincial Agrifoods Assistance Program. These programs, along with additional land development actions, reach the rural communities where most of Newfoundland and Labrador’s 500 farms are located. Funding for land development and new farms addresses innovation, market development, food processing, and the environment, which help generate employment and increase food self-sufficiency.
- Through ongoing science, research and wildlife enforcement efforts, the department continues work to help keep wildlife populations healthy, which supports the outfitting sector and contributes to general wellness and food security. The 2018 Grey Islands Caribou re-introduction has been so successful, the islands were opened to hunting in 2024. By designating species like the Newfoundland Marten under the provincial Endangered Species Act, the Provincial Government has made progress in conserving unique and valuable wildlife species.
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“I could not be more pleased with the progress the Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture has made in advancing legislation and improving programs and services in so many progressive and ground-breaking ways. From sweeping changes to Crown lands policy – unprecedented in our history – to practical, definitive actions to support our vital fish harvesters and processors, the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will reap the benefits of our work to optimize and sustain economic benefits, employ people in a wide range of natural resources sectors provincewide, and support the ecological integrity of this place we proudly call home.”
Honourable Gerry Byrne
Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
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Learn more
Fish Processing Licensing Policy Updated for 2025 Season
Amendments to Fishing Industry Collective Bargaining Act Provide Flexibility for Fish-price Setting
Online Crown Lands Portal Provides Path for Quicker, Simpler Applications
‘Mr. Good Deeds’ Ushers Sweeping Changes to Lands Act through House of Assembly
Provincial Government Advances Free Enterprise in Fishery
Humane Treatment of Animals Supported with Amendments to Animal Health and Protection Act
Minister Byrne Announces Funding to Support Sustainable Redfish Fishery for Harvesters
Applications Now Open for Harvester Enterprise Loan Program
Provincial and Federal Governments Announce New Priority Place for Species at Risk
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