Evidence of meeting #100 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was dfo.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan
Thank you, Mr. Bloomer.
We're now going to go to Mr. Donnelly for the final five minutes.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I just wanted to pick up on my colleague, Mr. Morrissey's question to Ms. Burridge about representation of the B.C. Seafood Alliance.
Ms. Burridge, you mentioned you represent most of the seafood producers on the west coast. I'm wondering about the 5,800 crews, the 4,500 shore workers, the 2,300 vessel operators, the 26 first nation commercial fishing enterprises, the 325 processors, the 2,325 licence holders, the more than 100 first nation fishing communities, the more than 150 coastal communities, and the 65 fishing organizations, including labour and species and gear. Would you say you represent a majority of those folks?
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
I said that we represent 90% of the value that comes from the people who harvest fish. My members, as I mentioned, are mainly fishing associations, so they are licence holders.
NDP
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
Those are people. They employ people, and they provide good jobs up and down the coast.
NDP
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
I'm saying we represent 90% of the value that's harvested.
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
It's the landed value, the wholesale value.
NDP
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
Not directly, no.
NDP
Executive Director, BC Seafood Alliance, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
Very few of them are members
Executive Director, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
Our organization represents the processors. We're a seafood processing organization. We are associate members.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
How many on Haida Gwaii or the central coast are involved in your organization?
Executive Director, Seafood Producers Association of British Columbia
One of the companies that is on Haida Gwaii is a member of our association.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Okay, one. Thank you.
I have another question here for Mr. Bloomer.
Mr. Bloomer, you talked about the National Energy Board and their role and their responsibility for reviewing impacts to fish and fish habitat. Do you feel the NEB is qualified to review impacts to fish and fish habitat?
President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Energy Pipeline Association
Very quickly, the NEB has been assessing and regulating this for a long time. They have scientists and qualified people who have reviewed this over a long time and have worked with DFO over that period. One of the issues was that there had been duplication of effort in the past, and it's a recognition under the MOU that there are shared capabilities and there are long-term best practices. That MOU with the DFO is very important. It recognizes that the NEB does have the requisite scientific knowledge and experience, and it's also the life-cycle regulator. It's a nice synergy to have that, and when things that have material impacts on habitat go through that process, the DFO does get involved and it is assessed properly.
However, for the main part of what's done—which is known and has best practices—the NEB is very well positioned and has the requisite scientific capability.
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Thank you.
In the remaining time I'd like to ask the Canadian Wildlife Federation the same question about the NEB being an appropriate body to review fish and fish habitat impacts. Does your organization have a comment on that?
Director of Conservation, Canadian Wildlife Federation
That was a recent change. We were concerned when that change was made because we weren't sure that the NEB had the expertise to be doing that. I remember an intervention.... I guess I would say that we're not in a position to say exactly where we are on it, but our concern is around the capacity of NEB to do that appropriately. I know the idea was that there would be a lot of exchange between DFO and the NEB to make sure that the review is comprehensive, but there are problems with reviews generally, both within the department and outside, in terms of competency.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan
Thank you.
That would conclude our meeting for today.
I want to thank Dr. Lapointe, Dr. Browne, Mr. Bloomer, Chris Sporer, and Christina Burridge. Thank you very much for your testimonies today.
The meeting is adjourned.