Fisheries Committee on Oct. 23rd, 2018

[Sharon Clark]

In the second paragraph of the report, we do mention that the Canadian salmon farming industry is considered to have significant potential for growth due to Canada's long coastline, cold water temperatures and proximity to the United States market. I know this is probably the one part of our audit that the B.C. Salmon Farmers Association quoted on their website.

[Julie Gelfand]

Right. Therefore, because they're not regulated by DFO, the risks in Newfoundland are not as prominent in this audit as is the case in B.C.

The other thing in B.C. is that we're taking Atlantic salmon and raising them in British Columbia where there are Pacific salmon, so the risks there are much greater than when you're farming Atlantic salmon where there are Atlantic salmon.

I'm not an expert on the issue of how well they're regulated off the coast of Newfoundland. That would be another audit that the Auditor General of Newfoundland could do.

[The Chair]

Thank you, Mr. Rogers.

Now we'll go back to the Conservative Party.

Mr. Arnold.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I'm going to carry on along the same lines I was going in the last section of questioning. An earlier question identified a recurring theme of disconnect between departments, in this case, particularly DFO and CFIA, partly because of an unclear definition of roles and responsibilities, and which one is the lead agency.

I'd like to read a motion to the committee. Whereas the spring 2018 report by the commissioner of the environment and sustainable development examining salmon farming stated that, (a) the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency “did not have a formal process to share information about aquatic animal health”, (b) CFIA “officials noted they shared information with [DFO] officials at headquarters, but that this was not always transmitted to [DFO] staff in the regions”; whereas the same report recommends “Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency should clarify their roles and responsibilities for managing emerging disease risks to mitigate potential impacts of salmon farming on wild fish”; and whereas Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency both agreed with this recommendation in the report, I move that the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans undertake up to two meetings before March 1, 2019 and invite officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to provide the committee updates on their progress in achieving their commitments.

We've identified this. Your report has clearly identified this. In fact, in your earlier testimony you suggested that we bring them in and have them answer to that. As such, I'd like to move that motion.

[The Chair]

She is just giving it to the translator, so they would have to read it out.

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I'm new to this committee, but isn't there a rule that notice has to be given on motions before they are considered by the committee?

[The Chair]

There is, but I think when it's related to the topic at hand, it can be moved without notice.

We're going to suspend for a moment and we'll see if we can get a copy in both official languages.

We are ready again.

Is there any discussion on the motion?

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, are you going to circulate the motion in both official languages? Will it be circulated?

[The Chair]

I think it will be circulated.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

We need to have that before we continue.

[The Chair]

No, you don't, because when it's read in as it is, anyone who wants it translated or to hear it in French will hear it from the translators when it's done. When it's on the topic we're discussing, it's read into the record in that manner, but it will be provided in both official languages for the record. It can go to a vote without having it in paper form in both official languages.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

To clarify, you're saying it can be distributed without being in French.

[The Chair]

It's not that it can be distributed. It was distributed. It wasn't necessary for it to be distributed. The motion was read into the record and translated as it was being read. It's a courtesy of Mr. Arnold's staff who passed it around. We didn't have to get even a printed copy of it when it's dealing with the topic at hand.

[Fin Donnelly, NDP, Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC]

I am just checking. Thank you.

[The Chair]

Is there any discussion on the motion?

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

If I read it correctly, this has to be done before March 1. Is that correct, Mr. Chair?

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

That was the motion presented. I'm open to amendments.

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Okay, that was just a question I had.

Can we push that a little bit down the road?

[The Chair]

You don't necessarily have to do that today. I think you could push it down the road. You can move to extend the time at a later date or you can make an amendment now to make it longer. It's either-or.

[Pat Finnigan, Liberal, Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB]

Okay.

[The Chair]

Mr. Arnold.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

If we'd move it as is, the subcommittee can look at the schedule and make a recommendation to the committee on when it would fit best into the schedule.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Why don't you remove March 1?

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

I would like to have some timeline on it for the spring if possible; otherwise, it could just be kicked down the road.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

What's the end of the parliamentary calendar? Is it June?