A federal labour investigator has confirmed that PSAC members working as Fishery Officers in Atlantic Canada face serious threats from heavily armed criminals, particularly during illegal fishing operations. The investigator's report concludes that the officers' current protective equipment and tactical protocols are inadequate.

PSAC and the Union of Health and Environment Workers (UHEW) call on Fisheries and Oceans Canada to take swift, concrete action to protect Fishery Officers who have been subject to increasingly unsafe working conditions, including the risk of physical violence, verbal harassment, personal threats, and organized crime.

The government must comply with the Canada Labour Code by providing proper equipment, training, and support, ensuring officers across the country have the same safety protections as other law enforcement personnel.

Fishery Officers in Atlantic Canada have faced escalating safety issues since 2020, when connections between organized crime and the fishing industry surfaced. Threats against officers, armed individuals, and seizures of weapons and drugs have been common. Officers reported incidents including firearms use, violent confrontations, and threats, leading to requests for increased support, which were largely ignored by management.

Worker participation is the cornerstone of our occupational health and safety regime. This employer must demonstrate its commitment by creating a culture of cooperation, openness, and respect when it comes to responding to all health and safety concerns raised by its workers.

The work Fishery Officers perform is crucial to the protection of our country’s fisheries and the economic well-being of coastal communities. The government must take immediate action to ensure they have the resources and tools needed to work in a safe environment.