Fisheries Committee on Nov. 21st, 2006

[Bill Matthews, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

Would you mind telling me how much departmental support you gave to the Cooke Aquaculture situation and where that money came from?

[Larry Murray]

It was $4.3 million, I think--and somebody may correct me--and it came out of our science development money. We have an aquaculture development program within the science budget. It was $4.5 million or $4.3 million.

[Cal Hegge]

$4.5 million.

[Larry Murray]

$4.5 million.

[Bill Matthews, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

So there's more money than above and beyond the $4.3 aquaculture management money in the department for aquaculture purposes?

[Larry Murray]

That's correct, and in terms of the $4.3 million or the $3.4 million, the $4.3 is the right number; the $3.4 million was the RPP number. The actual number for supplementaries is $4.3 million, and that is separate from science support or funding.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

Thank you, Mr. Murray.

Mr. Blais, do you have any questions?

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

There are two other subjects: research and development and the seal hunt.

My first question, the shorter one, is about the seal hunt. Based on what I have observed, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans does not have additional funds to fight the current and growing campaign against the seal hunt in Europe.

Is that because there is not enough money? Is the matter included in your plans and priorities? What is the department's position on this?

[David Bevan]

It is a priority, and the department has to work with the provinces to redouble its efforts in Europe in order to convince Europeans to keep their market open for our products.

The director of the Resource Management Directorate and the director of the International Affairs Directorate are currently both in Copenhagen. They are at a meeting with Greenland and Norway to coordinate Canada's efforts with those of other countries to convince the European community to keep its market open to the sale of products from the seal hunt.

We have therefore increased our number of visits and our efforts. Indeed, in August, ministers attended a meeting with members of the European Parliament. It is one of our priorities, and we have spent the necessary funds to meet that challenge.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

May I humbly propose an idea? As a committee, we will have to make recommendations at some point. Nevertheless, I would like to submit my idea to you right away.

There is a Seal Interpretive Centre on the Magdalen Islands. This centre has an exhibit which allows visitors to understand the seal hunt. In fact, the centre might need additional funding to update its exhibit, which began in 1994. The centre also has a travelling exhibit. In other words, if we invested in this exhibit, which shows images and projects undertaken by people who hunt seals and sea cats, and who live off the hunt, it could be an opportunity to educate the Europeans or a way to show Europeans what really happens during the seal hunt.

I would therefore humbly submit that the Seal Interpretive Centre on the Magdalen Islands could become the cornerstone of your campaign in response to those who oppose the seal hunt.

[David Bevan]

That's recommendation. Of course, we are doing various things to convince the Europeans to keep their market open to our products.

But you have given us something else to work with.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

May I therefore assume that you might want to contact the centre?

[David Bevan]

Yes, that's possible, it's a good idea.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Fine. With Mr. Bevan or Mr. Murray?

[Larry Murray]

Both.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

That's great.

Thank you for allowing me this brief advertising break.

Now, regarding research and development, I would like to understand how the money on R&D is spent. I was disappointed and surprised when I visited the Institut Maurice-Lamontagne in Mont-Joli and found out some things about the lobster industry. Indeed, I was told that the institute does not have enough money to help the lobster industry by, for instance, creating artificial reefs or such things. In Newfoundland and Labrador, I remember hearing witnesses tell us that they had not studied the cod situation enough and that they did not even know exactly why it had disappeared or almost disappeared.

So I would like to understand how the money is spent on research and development. How to you perceive your mandate? Do intend to spend additional money on the research and development program because that might help address some of the crises we are dealing with today?

[Larry Murray]

I will ask Mr. Sylvain Paradis, from the Ecosystem Science Directorate, to answer your question. Thank you for responding to the questions.

[Sylvain Paradis, Director General, Ecosystem Science, Department of Fisheries and Oceans]

To begin, we have a very large program which has several parts to it. We have just ended a science renewal program whose objective was to give an ecosystem approach to most of the research. Historically, the research was conducted in silos: fisheries, aquaculture, endangered species and habitats. There often was a lack of crossover.

Our strategy is to adopt a more ecosystemic approach to ensure greater integration of our programs. Of course, we don't have money for everything, but there generally is a strategic funding for various research programs which are evaluated on a sectoral priority basis. In this context, the department created a Scientific Management Committee, which is chaired by Mr. Murray, and which has the mandate to account for the entire program and to establish priorities with regard to our specific activities.

The program has many goals, including taking an approach based on four major principles. First, there is an enhanced accountability program which will address the department's regulatory policies and priorities. Historically, people were not happy with the fact that we had researchers who conducted scientific and traditional studies which should have been done through universities. But now, we have developed partnerships to make sure that all the bases are covered.

Second, we were aiming for a more efficient program. We therefore began recruiting more strategically. We are recruiting young researchers working in state-of-the-art fields. We also brought in our more experienced researchers to act as leaders of more integrated research teams. We also want to develop a more sustainable funding program.

Third, we want to create partnerships in the fisheries industry. We have a fishery collaboration program. We also have a fisheries research collaboration program for aquaculture. We are working with several research institutes. So we now have many ongoing partnerships.

Lastly, we also intend to create a special program to specifically meet the needs of the public.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

If I may, Mr. Paradis, you know that we cannot review everything in 15 seconds, but would it be possible to—

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

We're out of time. You're already two and half minutes.... I tried to allow our witness to answer.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Fine. My I revisit the issue later on?

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

We will have time to come back.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

All right.

Don't go anywhere, Mr. Paradis. I'll be back.

[The Chair, Conservative, Gerald Keddy]

Mr. Matthews.

[Bill Matthews, Liberal, Random—Burin—St. George's, NL]

On your slide entitled “The Differences”, you have, by nature, a small item--Conne River harbours. I'm asking a question about that because I believe the Conne River is in the riding I represent. You have a transfer from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada. What's that about? Do you mind informing me, please?