Mixed Canadian participation at AquaNor
The Government of Canada is spending CAD $ 257,000.- on a delegation of East Coast industry operators, provincial and federal government representatives and industry association staff heading for AquaNor in Trondheim next month. In contrast- a total of 4 provincial representatives from the Western Provinces in Canada are expected to attend the semi-annual Trade Show and Conference. Less than a handful of industry representatives from British Columbia are expected to make the trip to Norway this year.
At the last AquaNor in 2005, Canada was a Featured Country, with a sizeable delegation from both the East Coast and British Columbia. A delegation of B.C. First Nations made headlines during the trade show, and they were also acknowledged during the main dinner event held during AquaNor. Then Minister of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs in Norway- Mr. Svein Ludvigsen- hosted a luncheon for this delegation together with Norwegian industry leaders.
Much of the funding for the East Coast Delegation's participation at AquaNor comes from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency- a federal initiative established to help alleviate the fall-out from the collapse of the Atlantic cod fishery. The West Coast federal agency similarly charged with helping to diversify the economy of Western Canada- Western Economic Diversification- has been reluctant to put significant support behind aquaculture in the Western Provinces.
