Sustainability and Certifications

“Sustainability: development that meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”.
U.N. World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987.

Mainstream Canada is committed to sustainability.

Our aim is to produce food in a sustainable manner, which means that we operate in such a way that we do not reduce the potential for future food production based on the same natural resources.

Sustainability is a goal that relies on balancing environmental, social and economic benefits and impacts, with a long-term commitment for continual improvement.

Part of our commitment to continual improvement is seeking certifications to hold ourselves to higher standards.

We became the first Canadian aquaculture producer to have our Environmental Management System (EMS) certified to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) Standard. Two other management systems were also certified at the same time in December 2009.

Since then, Mainstream Canada has continued to lead the industry in achieving sustainability standards, by being the first salmon farming company to  meet the APSA standard established by First Nations, and by being the first salmon farming company in the world to meet the BAP standard established by the Global Aquaculture Alliance. 

APSA: Farming with Respect for First Nations

Mainstream Canada is the first salmon farming company in Canada to be certified under the new Aboriginal Principles for Sustainable Aquaculture ("APSA") standard. APSA is a new third party certification for aquaculture, developed by the Aboriginal Aquaculture Association. Its aim is to certify aquaculture companies to ensure that their practices are sustainably managed in a way that included First Nations values and interests and ensures protection of First Nations aquatic resources.

The APSA standard holds qualifying companies accountable in four main areas:

• Transparency and First Nations Inclusiveness

• Social Responsibility

• Environmental Responsibility

• Economic Responsibility

An independent audit was carried out in March and determined that Mainstream Canada's practices meet the requirements of the APSA standard.The APSA standard requires First Nations and the applicant to work together and develop a local sustainability plan to help ensure the aquaculture operations in their area are conducted in accordance with the principles in this standard and reflect the specific values and interest of the local First Nation. 

Best Aquaculture Practices: Continual Improvement

Mainstream Canada was the first salmon farming company in the world to achieve the Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) standard. Mainstream Canada was certified for its Brent Island farm site. The standard, developed by an international committee based on sound science, addresses environmental and social responsibility, animal welfare, food safety and traceability in aquaculture facilities.

Management Systems: Certified to ISO Standards

Mainstream Canada maintains four Management Systems that aid in driving continual improvement. These management systems include:

1. Mainstream Canada's Quality Management System (QMS) was developed to tie in varying needs, particular objectives, products provided and the processes employed to produce farmed salmon into one system. This management system was certified in 2009 to meet the ISO 9000:2008 Quality Management Standard. The adoption of this standard was a strategic decision for the company. It can be used by internal and external parties, including certification bodies, to assess Mainstream Canada's ability to meet customer, regulatory and internal requirements.

2. The Environmental Management System (EMS) is an integral part of Mainstream's corporate culture. The EMS focuses on several Environmental Aspects that are the interface between Mainstream's operations and the environment. The EMS helps to drive continual improvement in the area of environmental management through identifying objectives, developing programs to meet those objectives and measuring success against targets. Mainstream's EMS was certified for all facilities in 2008 to meet ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management System Standards.

3. Food Safety is of major importance to Mainstream Canada. As a result, Mainstream has developed a HACCP-based Food Safety Management System (FSMS) that identifies and controls food safety hazards throughout the food chain using the principles derived from the FAO's Codex Alimentarius Committee. This management system was certified in May 2011 as meeting the ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management System Standard.

   An integral component of the FSMS is the Quality Management Plan (QMP) that each processing facility utilized by Mainstream Canada must maintain. This HACCP-based program is audited by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for compliance to Canada's Fish Inspection Regulations. Each plant must be a federally-registered facility and in good standing with the CFIA in order to export product across provincial and international borders.

4. Mainstream Canada's Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) strives to help drive the provision and maintenance of a safe and healthy work environment in accordance with industry standards and in compliance with with legislative requirements. Mainstream Canada's OHSMS was certified in 2009 to meet the internationally accepted requirements of the OHSAS 18001:2007 Standard. 

Integral to all management systems is a set of policies and procedures outlined in several different manuals. The main manuals include:

• Quality Management System Manual

• Environmental Management System Manual

• Food Safety Management System Manual

• Occupational Health and Safety Management System Manual

• Occupational Health and Safety Program Manual

• Best Management Practices Manual

• Freshwater Fish Health Management Plan Manual

• Saltwater Fish Health Management Plan Manual

COR: The Highest Standard for Worker Safety

In 2011, Mainstream Canada received the FIOSA-MIOSA Safety Alliance's Certificate of Recognition (COR), one of two large companies in B.C. to do so. So far, only six companies in B.C. have achieved COR certification.

COR certification is awarded to employers who implement and maintain an occupational health and safety management system that exceeds regulatory requirements. COR-certified companies are also eligible for WorkSafeBC rebates.

Through its COR certification Mainstream has achieved a standard of excellence in its occupational health and safety and return to work management systems and shows that the company is emerging as a leader in managing workplace health and safety in the B.C. food processing industry.