CALL TO ACTION: Renew the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF)
Redd Fish Restoration Society is joining Raincoast Conservation Foundation in urging the federal government to follow through on its commitment to renew the BC Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF).
Over the past several years, First Nations and organizations across coastal BC have led major efforts to restore salmon habitat— through watershed-scale restoration including in-stream work, riparian planting, slope stabilization, estuary and nearshore marine habitat restoration, long-term monitoring, and ongoing community engagement.
This progress has been made possible through BCSRIF, a $250 million government investment in salmon recovery. We're deeply grateful for this support, which has built capacity, supported Indigenous-led priorities, created jobs, and strengthened local economies.
The impact is significant. In the past five years alone, Redd Fish has leveraged an additional $10 million, planted over 120,000 trees, restored more than 100 hectares of forest, installed over 1,000 mature trees back into rivers through engineered log jams, stabilized landslides, and monitored over 110 hectares of nearshore marine habitat along coastal Vancouver Island.
Continued investment is critical - not only to advance this work, but to protect the progress already made. BCSRIF is currently set to expire on March 31, 2026, with no confirmation of renewal.
If this work matters to you, we encourage you to send a message in support of renewing BCSRIF using the link in our bio. Together, we can keep this momentum going—for salmon, communities, and future generations.
Copy and Paste Email Template:
To: joanne.thompson@park.gc.ca
Dear Minister Thompson,
I am writing to you as a concerned resident of [Your City/Town] to urge the federal government to fulfill its promise to protect our wild Pacific salmon.
Specifically, I am asking that the government renew and increase funding for the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF), as committed to in Prime Minister Carney’s 2025 election platform. BCSRIF is currently set to expire on March 31, 2026, with no confirmation of renewal as of yet.
Over the past several years, First Nations and organizations across British Columbia have led major efforts to restore salmon habitat through restoration projects of all sizes, research, and education initiatives that support the recovery of Pacific salmon and the ecosystems they depend on. This work has included large-scale watershed restoration, in-stream habitat enhancement, riparian planting, slope stabilization, and expanded monitoring and community engagement efforts.
Pacific salmon are more than just a fish; they are the backbone of BC’s identity, economy, and environment. I support the work being done by organizations such as Redd Fish Restoration Society, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, and many others because it creates:
Real Results: Over the past 5 years, with help from BCSRIF, Redd Fish has leveraged an additional $10 million, planted over 120,000 trees, completed more than 100 hectares of forest restoration, delivered several of the largest in-stream restoration projects in BC by placing over 1,000 mature trees back into rivers through engineered log jams, stabilized landslides impacting fish habitat, and monitored nearshore marine ecosystems across coastal Vancouver Island.
Economic Stability: This fund has created more than 3500 jobs and provided specialized training for thousands of British Columbians, providing employment opportunities in remote coastal regions.
Reconciliation in Action: This program empowers First Nations through Indigenous Guardians Programs and co-management projects, which is vital for long-term watershed health.
Continued investment is critical—not only to advance this work, but to protect the progress already made and support those making it happen.
I look forward to seeing the government make good on its commitment to increase BCSRIF in the upcoming federal budget so that together, we can keep this momentum going for our salmon, our communities, and future generations.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Postal Code – Important for verifying you are a constituent]
[Your Phone Number]