Fisheries committee  First of all, sections 20 and 29 deal with fish passage. One of the threats to fisheries is ensuring that there is sufficient water flow, and sufficient ability for fish to get through obstacles. Sections 20 and 29 deal with fish passage. In Bill C-38, there weren't substantive changes to the provisions that are currently in 20.

Fisheries committee  I would say it depends on the section, but in different ways. We heard from stakeholders, both when Bill C-38 was going through the House in the spring and after it was passed; we heard virtually all of the sections asking questions. Our view was that the act, as passed in Bill C-38, would address most of those issues, but it was pointed out that there was some legal uncertainty in a few of the sections.

Fisheries committee  That's correct. The only addition I guess I would make is that the environmental damages fund is a new addition, although it, too, is in some ways a legal clarification. The courts already have the authority to direct that penalities go to the environmental damages fund. The adjustment suggests that all funds from penalties would go to the environmental damages fund.

Fisheries committee  Thanks for the question. I'll start with why it was in there, why we included it. Then I'll explain why we think the proposed version in Bill C-45 is better. When it was being decided what fisheries we wanted to ensure were protected, we wanted to ensure that we were protecting all fisheries that are fished by Canadians.

Fisheries committee  Thanks very much. We have very brief remarks to start. I am joined today by David Balfour, who is the senior assistant deputy minister for ecosystems and fisheries management, and by France Pégeot, who is a senior assistant deputy minister for strategic policy. I, the thorn between two roses, am Kevin Stringer, the assistant deputy minister for ecosystems and oceans science.