Evidence of meeting #40 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was departments.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Randy Kamp Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC
When you audited the species at risk and the recovery plans, what was the cut-off date you looked at for having the recovery plans in place? Is it possible they've made some progress since that date, if it was a while ago?
Assistant Auditor General, Former Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
We closed our audit about the end of June 2007.
Conservative
Randy Kamp Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC
That was about a year ago. Are you aware if they've made any further progress? You say that 13 out of 40 would fall under their jurisdiction.
Assistant Auditor General, Former Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
We had a chat with officials on Monday. We didn't audit any of this; we just talked a bit. It would perhaps be better if they told you directly, but I think there's been a bit of reorganization within the department. They may be getting equipped to do them more energetically in the future. From our discussion, I don't think any more have been done.
Conservative
Randy Kamp Conservative Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC
On the aquatic invasive species, it makes a lot of sense to have a good, robust response strategy. My understanding is that there are some jurisdictional issues there, and DFO doesn't currently have the authority it needs to respond in the way we wish it could. Some of the jurisdictions fall within the provinces, and so on.
Can you comment on that at all?
Assistant Auditor General, Former Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Office of the Auditor General of Canada
I wouldn't doubt it for a moment. It is a complicated environment. I know we looked at areas of concern--which is not your question--and that's a jurisdictional thing too. But to the extent there are jurisdictional issues, I think it's fair to say you would expect the lead federal department to forge the partnerships needed to address the issues. I think that would be a major part of DFO's work.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Fabian Manning
Thank you, Mr. Kamp.
I want to thank our witnesses for their presentations and for the openness and frankness of their answers.
I'd like to join other members of the committee in wishing Mr. Thompson a happy, long, and healthy retirement.
We welcome Mr. Vaughn to his new role. We look forward to working with him and the rest of his colleagues over the next while.
[Proceedings continue in camera]