Fisheries Committee on Nov. 21st, 2006

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

It's also important that the motion is adhered to by the minister and the Minister of Finance when the budget is put in place.

I'll turn it over to Mr. Simms.

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

Thank you, Mr. MacAulay.

Mr. Simms.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

On the $35 million to $40 million, we talked about one thing and the other. Can you explain again the $35 million to $40 million you just mentioned?

[Larry Murray]

The program is currently funded at about $97 million, of which $20 million sunsets this year. Our estimate relates very closely to the study that was done under the auspices of this committee a few years ago. In order to properly fund the program at 750 core fishing harbours, we believe that in 2106 consideration, that would require about $130 million annually. With the $20 million not sunsetting and $35 million more to reach about $130 million, that's our estimate of what's required to run the program.

We are currently also funding, as best we can, divestiture out of that $97 million. We're saying we could effectively complete divestiture in five years if we had a one-time allocation of $82 million.

I apologize for the confusion.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

That's all right. I apologize for not clicking in at the beginning.

I also want to talk about revised planned spending by region. In the national capital region alone we're looking at $218 million. I assume it's not for small craft harbours, so what is the bulk of that spending for?

[Larry Murray]

I'll start, and then I'll ask Mr. Hegge to add.

The bulk, I suspect, is for salaries. The department has about 10,300 people, and 87% to 88% of those folks are in the regions; 1,000 to 1,300 or so are in the national capital region in the headquarters. Some of them do headquarter roles, but with the hydrographic service, for example, because of the co-location with the Geological Survey, a number of the people in the national capital region aren't doing headquarters functions. But the bulk of them are on Kent Street.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

They're not necessarily in the capital region, but some of the salaries that are appropriated to people in the regions come from this national capital region spending. Is that correct?

[Larry Murray]

Yes. There are some national capital programs as well, which I'll ask Cal to talk to. Things like the fisheries surveillance program and the aerial surveillance program have traditionally been funded out of the national capital region.

Cal, do you want to talk to that?

[Cal Hegge]

On the national capital region, as the deputy said, it's basically the salaries of all of the headquarters people and all of the enabler functions that we talked about. It also includes, though, some capital spending as well, because capital spending, for example, on IMTS, real property, etc., would be included in that figure.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

I'm sorry, could you clarify that? You said IMTS and—

[Cal Hegge]

I'm sorry, that's information management technology services, or informatics, essentially.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

I'm sorry, Mr. Simms, but we're out of time.

Thank you, Mr. Hegge.

[Cal Hegge]

We could provide a detailed breakdown on that, Mr. Chair, before the minister's appearance.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Can I make that request, Mr. Chair?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

Consider it made.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

Monsieur Carrier.

[Robert Carrier, Bloc, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.

If I have any time left, I would like to share it with my colleague.

I represent a riding in Laval, north of Montreal, and I do not have any small craft harbours in my riding. However, there is a project underway which does concern your department: it's the construction of a new highway overpass which will link highway 25 from Montreal to highway 440 in Laval. There has been intense discussion in Montreal and Laval about the project.

In June of last year, your department said that the federal government has some responsibility with regard to the construction of the overpass, since it would be located close to a sturgeon spawning ground in the rivière des Prairies. However, your minister and the Department of Transportation at the time said that they could not become involved because the plans for the overpass were not yet available. However, it was clearly understood that you would monitor the project closely and that there might be public hearings at the federal level on the issue.

In the meantime, the project has advanced. Public consultations were recently held and the plans for the overpass were unveiled. Since the project involves the extension of the highway, it will also include the construction of interchanges to access highway 440 in Laval, which is also located close to a spawning ground for fish. The region's environmentalists are very concerned about the project. As the federal member of Parliament, it is my responsibility to make sure that our government is monitoring the construction and that it is assuming its responsibilities.

Since the file was submitted to your department over a year ago, do you plan on studying the project and to hold public hearings at the federal level? Is there money set aside in your budget, since the project is already well advanced and the promoters are already working on their plans?

I had the impression this might be included in your habitat management budget and that money have been set aside for the study, but I would like you to specifically tell me what is being done.

[Larry Murray]

I am personally not aware of the project, but perhaps Ms. Kirby could address it.

[Sue Kirby, Assistant Deputy Minister, Oceans and Habitat, Department of Fisheries and Oceans]

Indeed, these types of projects are taken into account under the Fish Habitat Management Program. I don't have the details with me today as far as the project is concerned, but we can provide you with a written response by next week.

[Robert Carrier, Bloc, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Am I to understand that you will give me a more specific answer on that issue?

[Larry Murray]

That's right.

[Sue Kirby]

Not today, but we can send you a written response by next week.

[Robert Carrier, Bloc, Alfred-Pellan, QC]

Please understand that this project involves several hundred millions of dollars. I just want to make sure that your department is aware of it. You don't seem to know what I'm talking about right now. But this issue is very important to people in Laval and Montreal. Since the federal government has a responsibility in this area, I would like to at least be able to say that the government, or your department, is fulfilling its responsibilities.

[Larry Murray]

I agree. I will send you a letter some time next week.