Evidence of meeting #102 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 chair.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Philippe Méla  Legislative Clerk
Nicholas Winfield  Director General, Ecosystems Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Mark Waddell  Director General, Fisheries and Licence Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Gorazd Ruseski  Senior Director, Aboriginal Program, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Adam Burns  Director General, Fisheries Resource Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

9:20 a.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Madam Chair, did you say you grouped...?

9:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

No. If PV-5 is adopted, NDP-8 and LIB-4 cannot be moved, as there is a line conflict.

9:20 a.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

So if it's defeated, then...?

9:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

Then you can still move NDP-8, yes.

9:20 a.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Thank you.

9:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

Mr. Arnold.

9:20 a.m.

Conservative

Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC

The subamendment to this would be on the final proposed paragraph (h). Again I'd ask that the word “natural” be inserted ahead of fish habitat in the last line.

9:20 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

The subamendment is to insert the word “natural” in proposed paragraph (h), before “fish habitat”.

(Subamendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

We'll vote on the main amendment, PV-5.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Next is NDP-8. If NDP-8 is adopted, LIB-4 cannot be moved, as there is a line conflict.

Mr. Donnelly.

9:20 a.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Madam Chair, the long-standing approach to providing the flow of water needed for fish passage in protecting fisheries and fish habitat has been insufficient. The amendments proposed would strengthen provisions in the Fisheries Act for assessing and securing the flows needed for the free passage of fish and the protection of fish and fish habitat and would enhance the transparency of decisions regarding minister's orders.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

9:25 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

LIB-4 has now been removed. We're on CPC-10.

9:25 a.m.

Conservative

Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC

Madam Chair, I will move this amendment.

It's adding a section in regard to clause 21:

Before making an order referred to in subsection (2), the Minister shall consult with any federal or provincial department or agency that also exercises powers in relation to the protection of fish or fish habitat.

There are a lot of cases across the country where that jurisdiction may be permitted to the other jurisdictions. For the minister to move forward on this without consultation would be an error, I believe.

9:25 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

Mr. Hardie.

9:25 a.m.

Liberal

Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC

Can we take a quick recess, please, Madam Chair?

9:25 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

We'll suspend for two minutes.

9:28 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

I call the meeting back to order.

We are voting on CPC-10.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

Next is NDP-9.

Mr. Donnelly.

9:28 a.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Madam Chair, this talks about the flow of water. It states:

(7) The Minister may make regulations respecting the flow of water that is to be maintained to ensure the free passage of fish or the protection of fish or fish habitat.

It gives the minister the additional powers to consider this.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

9:28 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

Next is CPC-11.

Mr. Arnold, would you like to speak?

9:30 a.m.

Conservative

Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC

Yes, Madam Chair.

I'm just trying to keep up here as we're moving through this quite quickly. The amendment states:

(7) If a request is made to the Minister for the making of an order under subsection (2), the Minister must respond, with reasons, within 90 days after the day on which the request is received.

This was, I believe, submitted by some of the witnesses we had at committee, that reasons for decisions need to be transparent. This would add that requirement for the minister.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

Next is LIB-5.

Mr. Morrissey.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE

Madam Chair, I am moving amendment LIB-5. It simply standardizes the language in relation to “he” and “she” by replacing them with “minister”.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

Next is LIB-6.

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE

Mr. Chair, I am moving this amendment.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

(Clause 21 as amended agreed to on division)

(On clause 22)

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

We have CPC-12.

9:30 a.m.

Conservative

Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC

Madam Chair, I'll move this amendment that the terminology be changed to include:

or activity that results in the permanent harmful alteration, disrup-

There are many cases where work can be done in a watercourse that causes temporary disruption but no lasting ill effects are found. The terminology of “permanent harmful alteration” I believe is appropriate.

(Amendment negatived [See Minutes of Proceedings])

9:30 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Bernadette Jordan

Next is PV-6.

If PV-6 is adopted, NDP-10 cannot be moved as there is a line conflict. Also, if PV-6 is defeated, so is NDP-10 as they are identical.

Ms. May.