"Atlantic Canada has an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient economy while supporting traditional industries that matter deeply to our communities," the letter says.
Photo: Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association.
It's the holiday season, and with Christmas come greeting cards and letters. However, this year, the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association's (ACFFA) Christmas letter is not to Santa Claus, but to the Federal Government.
Addressing the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, ACFFA Executive Director Tom Taylor writes: "On behalf of the Board and members of the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association, I am writing in strong support of the Atlantic Premiers' request on December 9, 2025 to renew and enhance the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF), consistent with your election commitment to increase the fund by twenty per cent."
In that request, the Atlantic Premiers expressed concern about the Federal Government's decision to end the AFF on March 31, 2026, and asked Prime Minister Carney to renew and improve the AFF, given his election platform commitment to increase the fund, as said, by 20%.
Now, in its letter, the ACFFA goes further, not only taking stock of what the fund has meant for the sector in Canada's Atlantic provinces so far, but also reminding Premier Carney of all that could still be achieved with the support of this funding.
"The AFF has been a practical, effective program which has supported critical R&D programs and infrastructure to enhance capacity and efficiency in our sector, resulting in highly valued return on investments for Atlantic Canada," writes Taylor, who was appointed Executive Director of the ACFFA in March.
As explained in the letter, since 2017, a federal investment of CAD 295 million—matched by CAD 126.5 million from the Atlantic provinces—has helped fishing and aquaculture companies modernize, improve productivity, increase their competitive advantage in a global supply sector, and expand into new markets.
All of this, writes Tom Taylor, contributes to the Atlantic Growth Strategy by accelerating the growth of Atlantic Canada's economy. In addition, as the ACFFA's Executive Director points out, the Atlantic provinces have also invested hundreds of millions more in project financing, reflecting strong regional confidence in this sector.
"Ending the AFF in March 2026 would slow progress at a time when global demand for seafood is growing, and trade uncertainty requires stable, competitive industries," he continues.
The letter from the Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association also highlights that the renewal of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund also supports the objectives of the new Atlantic Economic Panel established by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
This panel is a private sector-led initiative created to catalyze economic transformation in Atlantic Canada. It focuses on improving productivity, attracting private investment, creating jobs, and building long-term economic growth.
In the ACFFA's view, the AFF funding would be a catalyst for accelerating growth and unlocking transformative opportunities for Atlantic Canada, leading to continued growth in population, GDP, and the tax base that supports government programs and services.
"Atlantic Canada has an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient economy while supporting traditional industries that matter deeply to our communities. Renewing and enhancing the Atlantic Fisheries Fund is a smart investment that will support the creation of new jobs, build innovation and strengthen Canada's food security," Tom Taylor concludes.