Forward Regulatory Plan 2021-2023

The Forward Regulatory Plan (FRP) is a public overview of anticipated regulatory changes or actions that Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) intends to bring forward or undertake. It is intended to give Indigenous groups, consumers, business, other stakeholders and trading partners greater opportunity to inform the development of regulations and to plan for the future. It should be noted that this FRP is subject to change and will be adjusted and updated over time to reflect changes to DFO’s operating environment. It’s purpose is to provide a general snapshot of potential regulatory changes that may be proposed following appropriate policy development and consultation. It should not be treated as an advance copy of regulatory text.

In addition to describing regulatory changes under consideration, the FRP also identifies public consultation opportunities and a departmental contact point for each regulatory initiative.

Proposed Regulatory Initiatives

Fisheries Management

• British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations, 1996 (Omnibus amendments)
• Nunavut Fishery Regulations
• Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985 - Mackerel
• Pacific Fishery Regulations, 1993 - Stand-Alone Licenses for Lingcod and Spiny Dogfish
• Amendments to the Atlantic Fishery Regulations, 1985, the Maritime Provinces Fishery Regulations and the Newfoundland and Labrador Fishery Regulations – Tending Fishing Gear
• Amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations and the Pacific Aquaculture Regulations to modify the authority to Authorize the Lethal Removal of Nuisance Seals
• Amendments to various regulations under the Fisheries Act (Close times)
• Fishery (General) Regulations – Identification of Fishing Gear
• Consequential Amendments to the Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations (As A Result of the Ballast Water Regulations)

Aquaculture Management

• Phased Development of the General Aquaculture Regulations
• Associated with the Targeted Regulatory Review: Agri-food and Aquaculture Roadmap

Fish and Fish Habitat Protection

• Prescribed Works and Waters Regulations

Enforcement

• Amendments Required to Schedules of the Contraventions Regulations regarding various regulations under the Fisheries Act
• Coastal Fisheries Protection Regulations – Boarding and Inspection Authorities in the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission and the North Pacific Fisheries Commission Regulatory Areas

Fisheries Policy

• Fishery (General) Regulations – Fish Stocks

Marine Protected Areas and Marine Conservation

• Marine Protected Areas
• Biodiversity Protection Regulations (s.43.3 of the Fisheries Act)

Species At Risk (Aquatic)

• Proposed Listing Decisions for Aquatic Species under the Species at Risk Act
• Orders for the Critical Habitat of Aquatic Species listed under the Species at Risk Act

Miscellaneous Amendments

• Regulations Amending the Quebec Fishery Regulations
• Regulations Amending Certain Department of Fisheries and Oceans Regulations (Miscellaneous Program)
• Regulations Amending the British Columbia Sport Fishing Regulations (Miscellaneous Program)

For more information

• Government-Wide Forward Regulatory Plans
• Cabinet Directive on Regulation
• Federal regulatory management and modernization

To learn about upcoming or ongoing consultations on proposed federal regulations, visit the Canada Gazette and Consulting with Canadians websites.