A Call for an Independent Judicial Inquiry on Salmon Crisis

We, the undersigned citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following: 

WHEREAS, nine million sockeye salmon have disappeared during this summer's migration to the Fraser River, the lowest return in 50 years; 

WHEREAS, this crisis, similar in magnitude to the collapse of the Atlantic Cod stocks which devastated the East Coast, is dramatically affecting the way of life and the livelihoods of the West coast communities, first nations, recreational fishing, commercial fisheries and businesses; 

WHEREAS, it was determined that a factor in the Atlantic cod collapse was government suppression of the scientific facts (Hutchings et al 1997); 

WHEREAS the resulting closure of public fisheries, and the loss of millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs in the commercial fishing industry is negatively impacting the B.C. economy, with hardships and layoffs for many people directly and indirectly associated with wild salmon fisheries and wilderness tourism; 

WHEREAS it is unclear whether the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has fulfilled its obligation to effectively and responsibly manage this important resource and uncertain as to what meaningful action it will undertake to ensure the long term viability of wild salmon on the west coast;  

WHEREAS, the Conservative Party had promised in its 2006 platform to "Establish an independent judicial inquiry to determine the cause of the collapse of the sockeye salmon stocks on the Fraser river" and has not yet delivered on its promise; 

THEREFORE, your petitioners urgently call on the government to establish an independent judicial inquiry under the Federal Inquiry Act that would fully explore all the facts, consult with scientists and stakeholders, determine what went wrong with this year's sockeye run, and present a public report with binding solutions within six months.