BC Conservatives call for action against U.S.-backed environmental campaigns.
British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad has called for immediate measures to prevent what he describes as “foreign interference” by American-funded environmental groups campaigning against Canadian resource industries, as debate intensifies over federal policies on salmon farming.
In a statement released Monday, Feb. 24, Rustad proposed legislation to block environmental organizations based in British Columbia from receiving financial support from U.S. donors. He claimed these groups are harming the province’s economy and threatening jobs.
British Columbia Conservative Leader John Rustad has called for immediate measures to prevent what he describes as “foreign interference” by American-funded environmental groups campaigning against Canadian resource industries, as debate intensifies over federal policies on salmon farming.
In a statement released Monday, Feb. 24, Rustad proposed legislation to block environmental organizations based in British Columbia from receiving financial support from U.S. donors. He claimed these groups are harming the province’s economy and threatening jobs in industries such as forestry, mining, oil and gas, and aquaculture.
Rustad also criticized the provincial government for what he called the misuse of law enforcement resources on environmental protests and legal challenges, which he argued have stalled industrial projects.
The Conservative leader has previously outlined a 10-point plan aimed at eliminating interprovincial trade barriers and promoting economic growth. His plan includes advocating for a Canada-wide free trade agreement, scrapping the federal carbon tax, and increasing support for natural gas exploration, LNG port expansion, and mining projects.
Salmon farming at the center of policy debate
Rustad’s proposals align with growing calls for a policy shift on aquaculture. A recent report from the Macdonald-Laurier Institute has urged the federal government to reconsider its ban on open-net pen salmon farming, advocating for science-based policymaking over activist-driven campaigns.
The report highlights three key recommendations: ensuring policy decisions are based on peer-reviewed research, increasing investment in conservation efforts such as habitat restoration and regulation of Alaskan overfishing, and supporting innovation in aquaculture to maintain Canada’s competitiveness in global seafood markets.
The salmon farming industry has argued that environmental opposition, often funded by international donors, has misrepresented the risks associated with aquaculture while ignoring factors like climate change, habitat degradation, and international fishing pressure that contribute to wild salmon declines.
With the federal government’s commitment to phasing out open-net pen salmon farms in BC, industry leaders warn that Canada risks losing its position in the global aquaculture sector. The Macdonald-Laurier Institute’s report suggests that current policies may be more influenced by activist pressure than by economic or scientific considerations, raising concerns within the industry about long-term investment certainty.
Critics of Rustad’s approach argue that strong environmental protections are necessary to ensure responsible aquaculture practices and prevent long-term ecological damage. Any legislative effort to restrict activist influence is likely to face resistance from groups advocating for stricter environmental oversight.
