Evidence of meeting #28 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was ice.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Frank Pinhorn  Executive Director, Canadian Sealers Association
Trevor Swerdfager  Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Fisheries Management - Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Jean-François Sylvestre  Chief, Conservation and Protection, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yves Richard  Chief, Regulations, Quebec, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Randy Jenkins  Director, National Fisheries Intelligence Service, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Rob Clarke  Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, CPC

5:25 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Fisheries Management - Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Trevor Swerdfager

The quota has continued to rise. For quite a long time we've had nowhere near the harvest, but the quota has never really been set at... I understand that's a big level.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Robert Sopuck Conservative Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette, MB

Okay. Thanks.

I have one last question. Have you been able to use modern GPS technologies to better monitor the distance of the observers from the hunters and vessels and so on? Is that an option?

5:25 p.m.

Assistant Deputy Minister, Ecosystems and Fisheries Management - Operations, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

The bells are ringing. Once again, I have to interrupt. I apologize, colleagues.

Just quickly before we adjourn, you have a housekeeping motion in front of you with respect to paying the expenses of our witnesses. Can I get a mover on that?

Mr. Chisholm.

5:25 p.m.

NDP

Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Get a mover first, and then I just want to ask a question.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

Can I get a mover for that motion you have in front of you?

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

Patricia Davidson Conservative Sarnia—Lambton, ON

I so move.

5:25 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

The motion says:

That the proposed budget in the amount of $4,800, in relation to this study of Bill C-555, An Act respecting the Marine Mammal Regulations (seal fishery observation licence), be adopted.

Those in favour?

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

I wanted to speak to the motion. That's why I wanted it to be moved.

I just have a question. We haven't even really come up with a witness list yet.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

I've asked members to submit any witnesses they might have. Have you submitted any witnesses?

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

I believe we've shared a few with you.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

I haven't seen your witness list, Mr. Chisholm.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

We haven't sat down in the subcommittee and talked about that.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

We haven't discussed it. This is just a motion to allow us to pay the expenses of the witnesses we have today. Anything further would require another motion to go further than this.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

I don't mind that. I just hope it doesn't mean that we've somehow....

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

There's no finalization of a witness list at this time. If you have witness lists, please submit them to us.

5:30 p.m.

NDP

Robert Chisholm NDP Dartmouth—Cole Harbour, NS

Okay.

5:30 p.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Rodney Weston

Those in favour? Those opposed?

(Motion agreed to)

Gentlemen, we have to adjourn at this time because of the bells. I certainly do appreciate your taking the time to come here and your testimony today.

Thank you very much.

The meeting is adjourned.