Fisheries Committee on May 5th, 2010

[David Bevan]

That is the view of our scientists and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, yes. Grey seals have caused significant mortality in cod populations in the southern gulf.

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

For three years now, I and probably others have been asking for a grey seal cull plan. I have been waiting for the answer for three years now. For three years, people have been telling me that it is coming. I would like to know whether it is planned for this year.

[David Bevan]

We have obviously established the total catch for grey seals and the first step is to establish good markets. The Minister has worked very hard with China and other countries to establish markets for grey seals. We would also like to make the harvesting operation more efficient than it has been previously. If that doesn't work, we'll see what other options we have to deal with that major challenge.

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

But are you able to confirm that a grey seal cull plan is in the works?

[David Bevan]

Not at this time. There is a harvesting season, and that is the first step. Then we will see whether there is a need for another plan. For the time being, there is none.

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

I will just repeat for the umpteenth time, as I have said before to you, to the Minister and to Committee members, that every day that passes without a grey seal cull plan, the seal continue to eat the cod—every day. There is no interruption in that process; there is no season. They are not seasonal workers.

I would like to move on to something else now. Mr. Byrne mentioned earlier that wharves were to be repaired and that upgrades had been announced, but nothing has been done yet. I would like to talk about the wharf in Port-Daniel—which is quite appropriate, because I am from that village. In the 2008 budget, as I recall, it clearly stated that the wharf in Port-Daniel would be one of the ones to be upgraded, because repairs had been needed for some time already. We are now in 2010, and will soon be in 2011; so, what is planned this year for Port-Daniel?

[Michaela Huard]

Mr. Chairman, I don't believe the announcement has been made yet with respect to the province of Quebec and the projects we intend to have there this summer. With respect to that specific one, I would have to ask for the details of it. I don't have it with me today.

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

Could you forward us that information? I would also like to raise another issue, which is the transfer of the Carleton wharf. A transfer between DFO and Transport Canada is planned. I would like to receive some information regarding the status of that transfer.

[Michaela Huard]

I can provide that to you in writing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you.

Mr. Stoffer. It's good to see you back.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

What an honour it is to be back here

I have several questions that will all be fired at you at the same time. How many MPAs do you plan in the very near future and how many are in Canada right now?

On the Georges Bank moratorium, the United States has placed a moratorium on their side. What is the government doing to assist the Province of Nova Scotia? Is it the view of the government to maintain the moratorium as well, or whatever, by 2012?

Mr. Loyola Hearn, the previous minister, promised us seven harbours in Nunavut, but I only see funding for Pangnirtung. I wonder what happened to the other six harbours.

On icebreakers, the government also promised us an icebreaker in the near future, called the Diefenbaker. Those cost anywhere from $750 million to $1 billion. I'm wondering where the funding would be for that.

On light stations, I know there's a review on whether they should continue to be staffed. I'd like to know, if it's possible, how the review is going, when it will be finished, and when we will have an answer on that.

On the funding from the Pacific salmon treaty with the United States, if we've received any funding from that, would that be in the estimates as well?

Also, Asian carp is also a big problem for fishermen in the Great Lakes. What is the government doing to assist the United States in terms of the Asian carp problem? If they get into the Great Lakes, our fishery could be wiped out, as you know.

Last, how many fish species are on the endangered list in Canada?

If you don't have time to give us answers to all of these questions, we'd be very happy to take them in the near future.

It's good to see each and every one of you again. I have a question for each of you, do you see that?

[David Bevan]

Yes. It might be more efficient for us to respond to those in writing, Mr. Chair.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

If you don't mind.

[David Bevan]

There's quite a number of questions and we can provide written responses to them.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

That would be very kind.

If I may focus on one specific thing, then, it's the coast guard. As you know, even the head of the navy yesterday, in an interview with Tom Clark regarding shipbuilding--not just for the navy--indicated that the coast guard also has a major expenditure for rebuild and for new acquisitions. We've heard from previous governments and from the current government that this is a priority.

I know that there have been some small midshore vessels built. I know that there has been some retrofit money assigned. But with regard to the new builds, especially to have them built in Canada, I'm wondering when the glorious day will be that we'll actually see a tender go out to a company in Canada to start building those icebreakers and those larger vessels that we require.

Is there any indication from government that this is happening?

[David Bevan]

I'll turn to my colleague.

[Michael Gardiner, Director General, Major Crown Projects, Department of Fisheries and Oceans - Canadian Coast Guard]

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

To update the committee and the honourable member on the current status of our major vessel builds, I'd like to confirm that the midshore patrol vessels, the nine midshore patrol vessels, 142-foot, for conservation, protection, and security are actually in contract with Halifax Shipyard. We look forward to cutting steel in the summer. The first vessels will actually begin to be delivered in the summer of 2011, so it's well in hand.

On the other two science vessel projects, the offshore oceanographic science vessel, the replacement for the Hudson, our request for proposals for firms to complete the detailed design work for that project is closing this coming week, and we hope to have in contract quite soon. It will take about a year to complete the design work, then we'll be in position to move to the shipyard to construct, with delivery in the order of 2013.

Similarly, with the offshore fishery science vessels--the replacement for the vessels that do the stock assessment work--it's a very similar track to that of the CCGS Hudson replacement. We're about to conclude the RFP process for the design work. In about a year, we'll be in a position to have the design in hand and then be in a position to go to the shipyard for construction.

Then, for the polar icebreaker, there was $720 million announced in a budget several budgets ago. That is on track for delivery and entry into service in 2017. That's a very major project and is taking longer than the others.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

If I'm not mistaken, to design, to tender, and to build a vessel of that type could take up to seven to nine years. They don't simply come off the rack tomorrow; you can't go to the store and buy them tomorrow. They take quite a long time to build.

Wouldn't there be any funding allocations starting now, indicating that you get so much this year and so much next year? Wouldn't there be some sort of an indication that this is happening? Because it sure would be kind of neat, especially now that we have a major deficit facing our country. This is one of the projects that I fear may unfortunately be set back because of that. I'm wondering if the funding is indeed on the way for that project.

[Roch Huppé]

We've actually accessed some funding, starting last year, of close to $8 million. We have $8 million earmarked for this fiscal year. We're actually in the design phase of this project. So yes, money has been accessed to start the project.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Good. Thank you.

[Michael Gardiner]

Just to update you on that, we expect the design contract in 2011.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Thank you. That's good news.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you very much.

Mr. Kamp.

[Randy Kamp, Conservative, Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thank you, colleagues, for coming and helping us with these main estimates.

I have just a few questions. If there's time left, maybe my colleagues will have some as well.

With respect to small craft harbours, did I hear correctly that there has been a kind of structural change about where they fit into the organizational structure? I just wonder if you can tell us anything about that.

[David Bevan]

Yes. Small craft harbours will be a part of the ecosystems and fisheries management sector. My colleague is helping me out with the details and responses, as the learning curve is probably a little longer than two days.