Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I congratulate our new minister and I thank her for coming to visit our committee today.
Madam Minister, you mentioned in your opening remarks your commitment to bolster the aquaculture sector. In my west coast riding there are many ports and many fishermen and fisherwomen, and there are also many fish. We have several aquaculture farms that are a growing source of controversy. Maclean's magazine reported on this last week, and there was yesterday's decision of the B.C. Supreme Court, which gives the governments a year to respond to the decision that the province doesn't have at least sole jurisdiction over aquaculture.
Advocates believe that fish farms create a viable source of food and that it's a lucrative industry for investors, employment is created, and government officials appreciate the tax revenue. At the same time, critics claim that natural fish stocks are decreasing in proportion to the increase in farmed fish.
Madam Minister, I have four related questions.
First--and you've already answered this to some degree--in light of yesterday's decision, what do you see as the federal government's jurisdiction in aquaculture?
Second, do you have any legislation in mind that would affect fish farming?
Third, what plans do you have to investigate the relationship between aquaculture and natural fish stocks?
Fourth, I understand you were in British Columbia in the last few months. I wonder if you can tell us something about the findings from your trip as those findings relate to aquaculture.