Fish harvesters, Indigenous leaders and industry representatives will gather in Prince Albert this week to discuss the future of Canada’s inland fishery as the federal government considers changes to the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC).
The gathering, hosted by Saskatchewan Co-operative Fishers Ltd. (SCFL), comes as governments, Indigenous organizations and fish harvesters across western Canada consider the future structure of the inland fish marketing system and its potential impacts on northern fisheries.
SCFL represents commercial fish harvesters across northern Saskatchewan, the majority are First Nations and Métis fishers. They have served as the voice of northern fish harvesters since 1959.
“The future of the northern Saskatchewan fishery is vital to the livelihood and cultural sustainability of Indigenous people and other fish harvesters,” said John S. Beatty, president of SCFL. “The transformation of FFMC must ensure the fishery remains in the hands of the harvesters who depend on it.”
Fishing has long been central to the economy and culture of northern communities, where many families have relied on the fishery for generations.
“Fishing is in our blood and it is tied directly to our inherent and Treaty rights,” said Grand Chief Brian Hardlotte of the Prince Albert Grand Council. “For generations our ancestors harvested fish not only to sustain our families, but also to help sustain newcomers who depended on the waters of the North.”
Previous structural changes have created significant challenges for northern fisheries.
The Saskatchewan Co-operative Fisheries Ltd. meeting and annual general meeting will take place March 10–11, 2026 at the Coronet Motor Hotel in Prince Albert.