•  
     

  • Letter to Prime Minister Carney and Ministers Re: Renewal and Enhancement of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund

    Letter to Prime Minister Carney and Ministers Re: Renewal and Enhancement of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund

    January 6, 2026
     
    Re: Renewal and Enhancement of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund

    To:
    The Right Honourable Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
    The Honourable Minister Thompson
    The Honourable Minister Fraser
    The Honourable Minister LeBlanc
     
    Dear Prime Minister Carney and Ministers,

    The Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, representing 91 member chambers and boards of trade, supports the renewal and enhancement of the Atlantic Fisheries Fund (AFF). We also echo the December 9 request from the Atlantic Canadian premiers calling on the federal government to renew the fund and fulfill its election platform commitment to increase it by 20 per cent.

    The AFF has proven to be a highly effective tool for strengthening the private sector, which is the primary driver of economic growth in Atlantic Canada. By supporting innovation, modernization, productivity, and market competitiveness, the fund enables fishing and seafood businesses to invest, grow, and create sustainable employment in coastal and rural communities.

    Private sector operators, harvesters, processors, and aquaculture firms depend on predictable, long-term investment tools such as the AFF to make capital decisions, adopt new technologies, improve efficiency, and respond to global market demands. The fund has helped unlock private investment, improve competitiveness, and generate strong economic returns well beyond the initial public contribution.

    With the AFF set to expire on March 31, 2026, the absence of a clear renewal creates uncertainty for businesses planning future investments. Renewing and enhancing the AFF will provide confidence to the private sector, support job creation, and reinforce Atlantic Canada’s role as a globally competitive seafood producer.
     
     We urge the Government of Canada to act swiftly to renew and enhance the AFF and to deliver on its commitment to increase funding. Doing so will send a strong signal that the federal government recognizes the essential role of the private sector in driving economic growth and prosperity in Atlantic Canada.
     

    Sincerely,
     
    Rhonda Tulk-Lane, ICD.D
    President & CEO, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
    Chair, Chambers of the Federation
    709-351-0291
     

  •  

    Truth and Reconciliation

    Recognizing the importance of education, the Chamber encourages businesses to provide comprehensive training for management and staff on the history of Indigenous peoples, including the legacy of residential schools, Indigenous rights, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. Emphasizing intercultural competency, conflict resolution, and anti-racism, these efforts aim to foster a more inclusive and harmonious corporate environment rooted in mutual understanding and respect. Learn more click here. 

                                                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                    

                                                                                 Marcus Gosse (ᒪᕒᐠᑲᐢ ᐧᑲᐢ) is a Newfoundland Mi’kmaq Artist