Timelines set by Fisheries and Oceans Canada for completing regulations on GE fish

November 1996—The House of Commons Standing Committee on the Environment and Sustainable Development Report on Biotechnology states that Fisheries and Oceans Canada's regulations are being drafted.

April 1997—An internal Fisheries and Oceans Canada memo states that the Department is committed to having the regulations in place that year.

1998-1999—Industry Canada's BRAVO Web site (as of 17 May 2004) states that GE fish regulations are expected to come into effect during 1998–99.

May 2000—In its response to Petition No. 23, Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that it is developing regulations.

Late 2000/early 2001—Senior management at Fisheries and Oceans Canada commits to Environment Canada that the regulations will be in force in the fall of 2002.

November 2001—A senior management briefing note states that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans committed to developing the regulations by the fall of 2002.

April 2002—In its response to Petition No. 38A, Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that it is developing regulations.

August 2002—The Canadian Biotechnology Advisory Committee, set up to provide expert advice to the federal government on biotechnology matters, reports that Fisheries and Oceans Canada is currently developing regulations.

April 2003—In an internal audit document, Fisheries and Oceans states that the target date for the regulations is 2005.

January 2004—In its response to Petition No. 38B, Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that it is developing the regulations.

June 2004—Fisheries and Oceans Canada states that it cannot give a timeline for completing the regulations.