Joyce Murray

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 29th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, our government is committed to advancing first nations' treaty right to fish. The elver fishery is unique and the preferred approach remains a willing buyer and a willing seller. That is the way to create predictability in the market and allow all harvesters to adequately plan.

However, in keeping with the Ahousaht court decision, we acknowledge that there are times that there is not a willing seller at a market price. A decision for the 2023 season has not been made, and it will be shared soon.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 6th, 2023]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to say that I met with the delegation this morning and we have plans to continue working together so that we can include all of the first nations affected by open-net pen aquaculture as we transition away over the coming years.

[Fisheries and Oceans, December 13th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Bonavista—Burin—Trinity for his strong advocacy for his constituents.

Canada and the United States do indeed have a strong tradition of co-operating in protecting our waters and minimizing oil spills. This agreement gives our countries better and stronger mechanisms and tools to respond to marine spills by working even more closely together. Alongside the U.S., we will continue to protect the oceans and keep our coasts clean and safe, and this agreement will help do exactly that.

[The Environment, December 2nd, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I share the member's concern about the North Atlantic right whale, which is an endangered species. Our government is taking decisive and necessary steps to protect them. We have implemented Canada's dynamic closure system to protect whales when they are sighted. We remove ghost gear to reduce entanglements. We are innovating on whale-safe gear to further protect these whales. We are aware of their situation, and I am working hard to make sure we are protecting them.

[Fisheries and Oceans, November 17th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I want to assure the member that protecting wild salmon and their habitat is my top priority. This transition is already under way. We have already removed fish farms from the Discovery Islands. There are others that indigenous communities have asked to be moved and have been moved away, so this transition is under way. We will have a plan by June 2023 as to how we will proceed further in protecting our very precious wild salmon.

[Fisheries and Oceans, November 3rd, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for the great work he does for his constituents.

I received a report from the Atlantic seal science task force just this spring and the government is already taking action on it.

I am happy to share with the House that, on November 8 and 9, I will be hosting a seal summit in St. John's, and we will be exploring opportunities for indigenous and rural communities.

I do look forward to working with indigenous people, industry, scientists and others on this very important goal.

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 21st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Avalon for his leadership and hard work.

I have had the chance to see the damage from Fiona's destructive powers first-hand and I have heard just how critical our small craft harbours are for people and their communities and economies. That is why I announced $100 million of federal support for immediate work to clean up harbours and recover lost fishing gear.

DFO officials are working hard to make sure that harbours are operational when fishing seasons begin, and we will not stop until the job is done.

[Fisheries and Oceans, September 28th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I also want to express my concern for the member's community and the fish harvesters. I have had a chance to hear from and discuss this with provincial premiers, fish harvesters and their representatives, and members of Parliament, and it is a very distressing situation. We are going to work collectively and in partnership with them to do everything we can to support our fish harvesters going forward.

[Fisheries and Oceans, September 27th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, I appreciate these voices of concern from the members opposite. I can tell the House that the members on this side of the House from Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec have been on the ground.

I have spoken with my parliamentary secretary. He has not slept for days. I have heard about the devastation that people are experiencing. We are, and I am, in touch with fish harvesters, provincial ministers and caucus members. We will be happy to hear what requests there are for extensions and consider them very seriously.

[Fisheries and Oceans, September 27th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, again, having chatted with MPs and ministers from that area, I am very much seized with how much this challenges the people who may have lost their homes and may have lost their boats or their fishing gear. There may not be adequate food in the grocery stores.

We are there, DFO, our staff, the Canadian Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard College. We are doing everything we can on the ground to support the people of Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec. We will continue to do just that.