Evidence of meeting #55 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 39th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was chairman.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Scott Simms Liberal Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL
Certainly we've achieved this over the last three or four years, haven't we?
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I would say that in terms of presence, certainly we have been out there for about three or four years, but in the absence of the kinds of changes that the minister managed to achieve with the NAFO regime. We had a presence and certainly we were boarding and doing all of that, but there wasn't a compliance regime that worked the way the current one, as of last January, is working. I don't know whether David Bevan wants to say some more on that.
David Bevan Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I think the difference now is that in NAFO conservation enforcement measures, the sections there don't give a choice. If you find certain types of infringements and they're confirmed, then what happens is the vessel shall be pulled back to port for further inspection. The vessel that went back over the course of the weekend was virtually empty. It only had 150 tonnes on board—
Liberal
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It's going back to Vigo. It's going all the way back across the ocean without having had an opportunity to get the fish it needs for a profitable trip, and I think that in itself is a deterrent.
When it gets there, it will be subject to inspection. Our folks will be there to observe that inspection, and we have every indication that the Spanish government is going to take very significant action if it's confirmed.
Bloc
The Vice-Chair Bloc Raynald Blais
Thank you very much, Mr. Bevan.
I will now give the floor to Mr. Asselin.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Mr. Chairman, I want to take advantage of the fact that representatives from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are present. The committee is preparing to undertake a study of small craft harbours, to meet with witnesses, to travel across Canada, to visually inspect facilities and discuss matters with the people concerned. Like me, you are aware that some small craft harbours are in a very advanced state of deterioration, because very little money has been invested in them, and DFO seemed hardly or not at all concerned with maintaining and repairing its own equipment. The Small Craft Harbours Divestiture Grants Program does exist. In some places, they are like a house of cards, and you can understand that people aren't interested in buying a white elephant or a house of cards that is on the verge of collapse. Some places require an investment of several million dollars.
The budget that was adopted in the fall of 2006 contains $104 million for that. It is now May 2007. I would like to know if that $104 million is earmarked exclusively for maintenance and repair work. Are you confirming that you need at least $100 million over the next five years, to upgrade the wharfs that belong to DFO, which are used for tourism, by fishers and primarily for the fishing industry? If not, I would like to know how much money is left in the Small Craft Harbours Divestiture Grants Program.
That completes my question. I will have some other ones if there is a second round. Does the minister have a list, by order of priority, of the wharfs belonging to DFO that will be repaired in 2007?
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I will start, Mr. Chairman. Then I will give the floor to Mr. Corriveau, who will talk about the figures.
As regards the question on priorities, we have a plan for this year. The minister will certainly be happy to share this plan with the committee.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Bloc Manicouagan, QC
We are preparing to go on the road. Before leaving, and before beginning our in-depth study on small craft harbours, would it be possible to submit to the clerk a list of the small craft harbours that will be repaired and maintained in 2007? That way we will at least know that there is an implementation plan, a timeframe, and that the $104 million will be invested in 2007. That way, we would be able to focus our efforts on other small craft harbours.
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Mr. Chairman, the minister and the department are prepared to send the documents to the committee for the purpose of its travel or to make a presentation on the current situation.
Bloc
The Vice-Chair Bloc Raynald Blais
Regarding the other questions, does anyone else in the group want to comment?
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We have all kinds of figures on small craft harbours. The figures are always somewhat difficult to establish. We estimate requiring $55 million per year to maintain and repair all small craft harbours.
In 2006, the government increased the budget for small craft harbours by $11 million. This year, we have an increase of $20 million, and the minister has asked us to use these funds as effectively as possible to meet the priorities of small craft harbours.
The discussions are ongoing as regards other requirements. Twenty million dollars for five years represents a total of $100 million. That amount will help us make some improvements, but I do not believe that it will solve the problem completely.
As regards the $104 million, I will give the floor to Alain.
Alain Corriveau Acting Director General, Finance and Administration, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
The Small Craft Harbours Program does indeed have an operation and maintenance budget of about $104 million. That is the normal operation and maintenance budget for conducting yearly activities. You talked about a figure of $100 million over the next five years—
Acting Director General, Finance and Administration, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
—to repair the harbours. We need funding to repair the harbours. I cannot confirm the accuracy of the $100 million amount per year for the next five years, but we can certainly provide you with information at a later date.
Bloc
Gérard Asselin Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Who will provide us with the list of repair work on the small craft harbours performed in 2007, by order of priority?
Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It is the minister who must provide the list, and we intent to give him the best advice possible.
NDP
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you all for coming today.
Monsieur Da Pont, to a previous question by my colleague Mike Savage regarding the April 1 plan of coast guard, you had indicated that it was just a draft and that the transfer of the vessels from Maritime region into Newfoundland region would be incorporated in the final draft. When will the final draft be ready for our analysis?
Commr George Da Pont
The final draft is now in translation, and I anticipate being ready to send it to this committee for information by the end of this month.