Fisheries Committee on Feb. 27th, 2012

[Ryan Leef, Conservative, Yukon, YT]

It is, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Mr. Leef, please move your motion at this time.

[Ryan Leef, Conservative, Yukon, YT]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

It might sound strikingly similar to a motion we already heard today. I figure I might as well bring it forward today, before Mr. MacAulay brings it forward on Wednesday and we have three identical motions.

My motion is that because the evidence demonstrates that the Canadian seal hunt is conducted humanely and sustainably, the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans reaffirms its support for the Canadian seal industry.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Leef. Do you want to make any opening comments?

[Ryan Leef, Conservative, Yukon, YT]

I'll be brief with this and then open the floor if anybody has additional comments.

From a personal perspective, coming from the Yukon territory, I'm a firm supporter of traditional activities that are sustainable, humane, and support the livelihood of thousands of Canadians. I come from a geographic region that has a strong tradition and heritage in the trapping industry. I have observed some of the challenges that industry has faced over the years, and I now see that starting to press up against people who are involved in the sealing industry.

I think it's an important motion that the committee consider—particularly around the heritage, tradition, and culture it provides Canadians—that it is a sustainable harvest, it is conducted humanely, and it supports the livelihood of Canadians.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Leef.

You've heard the motion presented to the committee. You've heard Mr. Leef's opening comments.

Mr. MacAulay.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I'd like to propose an amendment to the motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Please state your amendment, Mr. McAulay.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I would add the following:

and that, given the current state of the Canadian sealing industry and the inability of the government to open new international markets for the industry, the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans call on the government to significantly increase its efforts to protect and promote the sealing industry on the international stage, before the industry is permanently lost.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Do you have that in front of you, Mr. MacAulay, so I can provide it to the clerk?

[Ryan Leef, Conservative, Yukon, YT]

It's just a minor adjustment.

[Mike Allen, Conservative, Tobique—Mactaquac, NB]

I can't imagine that dog's going to hunt. Nice try, though.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

You've heard the motion, and you've heard Mr. MacAulay's amendment to the motion.

Mr. Toone.

[Philip Toone, NDP, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Do we have a timeline as to when the industry will be permanently lost?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

No, there's no timeline.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

We disagree with the premise of the amendment, which is that the government is not actively working on the expansion of markets. We know for a fact that this is happening, so we will not be supporting this amendment.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Kamp.

Mr. MacAulay.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I bring this amendment to the floor because I want more activity from the Government of Canada. I think after the China trip we were all disappointed. It's okay to promote and support the sealing industry, but if you do not have markets you have no industry. What we have to do is encourage the government. I would urge the government members on the committee to support this motion, because all it does is encourage the government to become more active in seeking new markets. If we cannot sell the seal pelts there will be no sealing industry.

I could not possibly see anybody interested in the sealing industry not supporting my amendment to this motion.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Well you're going to see it.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Mr. Chair, I missed that statement.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

It was inaudible.

Is there anything further on the amendment?

Mr. Donnelly.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, New Westminster—Coquitlam, BC]

Can we hear that one more time?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

I will read it into the record one more time.

Mr. Leef has moved that because the evidence demonstrates that the Canadian seal hunt is conducted humanely and sustainably, the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans reaffirms its support for the Canadian seal industry.

The amendment brought forward by Mr. MacAulay states: and that, given the current state of the Canadian sealing industry and the inability of the government to open new international markets for the industry, the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans call on the government to significantly increase its efforts to protect and promote the sealing industry on the international stage, before the industry is permanently lost.

That's the amendment and the motion.

Is there anything further on the amendment?

(Amendment negatived)

The amendment has been defeated.

We will now return to the original motion as stated by Mr. Leef. Is there discussion on the motion?

Mr. Kamp.