Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)
Status
Defeated, as of June 15, 2022
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Summary
This is from the published bill.
This enactment requires the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to develop a federal framework on the conservation of fish stocks and management of pinnipeds.
Elsewhere
All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.
Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-251s:
C-251 (2013)
An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (no GST on reading materials)
C-251 (2011)
An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act (no GST on reading materials)
Votes
June 15, 2022Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-251, An Act respecting the development of a federal framework on the conservation of fish stocks and management of pinnipeds
This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below.
Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.
Bill C-251 aims to establish a federal framework for the conservation of fish stocks and the management of pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walruses) in Canada. The bill mandates the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to develop this framework in consultation with provincial governments, Indigenous governing bodies, and other relevant stakeholders. The intent is to address the increasing pinniped populations and their impact on fish stocks, while considering the economic and cultural importance of pinniped harvesting for Indigenous and coastal communities.
Conservative
Support Bill C-251: The Conservative Party supports Bill C-251, which aims to develop a federal framework for the conservation of fish stocks through the management of pinniped populations, arguing that current measures are insufficient and that pinniped overpopulation is detrimental to fish stocks and coastal economies.
Economic and cultural restoration: The party believes managing pinniped populations can restore balance to marine ecosystems and revitalize lost livelihoods in First Nations and northern communities by allowing for the sustainable harvesting, processing, and trade of pinniped products.
Addressing trade barriers: Conservatives advocate for the removal of trade barriers that hinder the pinniped harvesting industry, as these barriers negatively impact indigenous communities and contribute to ecological imbalance. They propose studying how other countries successfully manage their pinniped populations.
Call for action and management: The party urges the government to take action to address the ecological imbalance caused by pinniped overpopulation, emphasizing that managing pinniped populations is essential for the conservation and rebuilding of valuable fish stocks.
NDP
Supports seal harvesting: The NDP supports seal harvesting that respects Indigenous rights, sustainability, and humane practices. They acknowledge its importance for First Nations, Inuit, and other communities, in both traditional and commercial contexts, but emphasize the importance of ensuring markets for seal products are in place.
Ecosystem management needed: The NDP believes single-species management is insufficient, and that focus should be on holistic ecosystem management, recognizing that species rely on each other. They are concerned the bill could target specific species without considering the wider ecological impact.
Concerns about anti-predator devices: The NDP is concerned about the bill's proposal to promote anti-predator devices, fearing it could threaten seafood exports due to inhumane practices. They highlight the importance of humane solutions and alignment with international standards.
Indigenous knowledge crucial: The NDP emphasizes the need to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and traditions in wildlife management. They express concern that the bill could promote culling seals without considering sustainable practices and benefits for local populations.
Bloc
Supports the bill's principle: The Bloc Québécois supports the principle of Bill C-251, which focuses on developing a federal framework for fish stock conservation and pinniped management, but emphasizes that its support depends on the bill's content and application.
Need for balanced approach: The party wants to ensure that the strategy deployed by the minister takes into account both human and natural factors affecting the ecosystem, including environmental impact and climate change, to avoid punishing nature for human errors.
Holistic consideration: The Bloc Québécois believes that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans must act to promote conservation and the protection of marine ecosystems, but cautions against focusing solely on pinniped populations without considering the impact of overfishing and industrial fishing methods.
Further study required: The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans will undertake a study on pinniped management, considering recommendations from experts, coastal populations, and international examples to inform their approach to Bill C-251.
Liberal
Concern about seal populations: Liberal MPs acknowledge the concerns about growing seal populations and their impact on fish stocks, recognizing this as an important issue, particularly in Atlantic Canada, but also in other regions.
Need for scientific approach: Liberal members emphasize the importance of basing any management strategies on scientific evidence, criticizing the bill's lack of focus on science and warning of potential economic risks if management decisions are not scientifically grounded.
Support seal industry growth: Liberal MPs express support for growing the seal industry sustainably, promoting the development of markets for seal products, and working with various stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, environmentalists, and industry representatives.
Comprehensive government approach: The Liberal speakers prefer a whole-of-government approach to address the issue, referencing the Atlantic Science Seal Task Team report and upcoming government summit on the matter, suggesting the bill may be unnecessary and potentially harmful, but open to amending the bill to include consultation with indigenous peoples, that would include the industry and that would make sure that it is based on science.
Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. It is just on a point of clarification on the vote and whether a member needs a jacket to vote inside the House and outside of the House on video, because we are working under the assumption that this is the House and so is the video.
Links & Sharing
Conservation of Fish Stocks and Management of Pinnipeds ActPrivate Members' Business
