Evidence of meeting #120 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 million.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Pat Finnigan Liberal Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Thank you, Parliamentary Secretary.
Shifting to small craft harbours, do we know how long it will take our community to get its money back once it divests itself of our small harbour? A lot of communities reluctantly get rid of their harbours, which they've had for a long time. Do we know how long it takes, once we've removed it and done all the environmental cleanup and everything, to get our money back? Could you give me that figure so I could answer my constituents' questions on that matter?
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Small craft harbours are obviously critical for many coastal communities. That is precisely why in budget 2018 we announced another $250 million to be focused on small craft harbour projects. Part of it, as you know, relates to divestitures with respect to non-core harbours.
Maybe I can turn to Sylvie here. She can talk about some of the economics. It is often project-specific, but maybe she can give a general answer.
Sylvie Lapointe Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It is project-specific, but it depends as well on the state of the harbour we are trying to divest, such as whether or not there are repairs needed to put it in better condition before the divestiture takes place. Sometimes the negotiations with whomever is wanting to take on the harbour can be quite lengthy, so it really does vary.
Through the budget 2018 money we've received for divestiture, we already have some project-ready pieces that we will be able to deliver in the next two years.
Mr. Ken McDonald (Avalon, Lib.)
Now we'll go to the Conservative side.
Mr. Arnold, you have five minutes or less, please.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, I'm going to touch on a subject that's been key to me and to my riding constituents. I've brought it to the attention of previous ministers.
Last October, the former fisheries minister committed to increasing federal resources for aquatic invasive species programs and prevention activities in British Columbia. However, the actual increase in resources delivered was approximately only $50,000 annually, shared between B.C. and the Yukon. Of the $10.1 million of ongoing funding DFO has for AIS activities nationally, about 86% is provided to fighting two species, invasive Asian carp and sea-lamprey in Ontario.
Why does DFO continue to ignore the acute ecological and economic threats posed for western Canada by aquatic invasive species? Will the minister personally ensure that British Columbia receives an equitable level of funding to fight AIS?
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Aquatic invasive species are obviously important for most, if not all, provinces in Canada. It's certainly important in British Columbia. It's important in Alberta and Saskatchewan and Manitoba. It's important all across eastern Canada and central Canada. In 2017-18 we announced $43.8 million for work on invasive species, plus a little more than $10 million for AIS management. A lot of that is coordinating with the provinces and territories, which obviously have a role here.
With respect to spending in British Columbia, about $850,000 was announced just this past year with respect to aquatic invasive species. A lot of that was focused in the Okanagan.
It's certainly an issue that we are live to. It's an important issue to be on top of to ensure that we don't end up with a bigger problem that we would not have had if we had taken action in the short term.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
That problem has been identified as being a $50-million-per-year maintenance problem for communities in one watershed alone. Again, I would pressure you for more impact on that.
Minister, I want to challenge you a little bit on the statement you made that pinnipeds don't seem to be an issue in the competition with southern resident killer whales. I was just provided a document last night quoting some numbers. Comparing harbour seals in 1972 versus what they are now, they've gone from 210,000 to approximately 355,000. The California sea lions grew from a number of fewer than 6,000 to 47,000. Steller's sea lions increased from 74,000 to 78,000. In the Salish Sea, the harbour seal population grew from approximately 8,600 in 1975 to over 77,800.
How can you believe, or have you been misled with the information you've been provided, that pinnipeds are not serious competition for prey for the southern resident killer whale?
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Let me just correct one thing. I didn't say that the populations of pinnipeds haven't been increasing. They have been increasing. That's a statistical fact—
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
You stated that they weren't competition for prey.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
That's a statistical fact, if you would let me finish. If you actually look at the science that's been done on pinnipeds, particularly on the west coast, it will tell you that less than 10% of their diet is salmon. That being said—
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
That being said—
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
—but your official tried to say that last week. We have evidence that during the key migration time of smolt coming down the rivers and reaching the ocean environment, it's up to 90% of a pinniped's diet.
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Certainly, if you want to bring forward science, that would be considered. We're always open to new science. We have made a commitment, as part of the review we are doing with various stakeholders, including fishers, that the review of the pinnipeds and the impact they have, with respect to science, is definitely part of that process.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Are you moving forward on activities around that?
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
I see one other line in the supplementary estimates in schedule 1. It refers to the authority to purchase and dispose of commercial fishing vessels. Could you elaborate a little further on what that is? Are you simply buying fishermen out, taking them out of the business?
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I'm going to take a shot at it. We'll look to see if this is actually correct. If it's not, we'll get you the correct information.
Some of the funding in the supps speaks to providing access to indigenous groups as part of treaty negotiations. Part of that is retiring access from commercial fishers, and providing the access to indigenous groups. It may well be that. If it's not, we'll get you the answer to the question.
Mr. Ken McDonald (Avalon, Lib.)
Going back to the government side, Mr. Hardie, for five minutes or less, please.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
I'm going to split my time with my fellow westcoaster Ms. May, so she has a chance to ask a question.
Commissioner Hutchinson, it was good to hear that our Coast Guard vessels are going to be outfitted with a towing rig. How many capable vessels will we have on the west coast, and will they be able to do the same as the ones we're leasing?
Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
All of the large vessels on the west coast will be outfitted with tow kits. I believe there are seven, off the top of my head. If that's wrong, I'll correct it.
Will they be as capable as the two we're leasing? Not in every case. The two that we're leasing have very high bollard pulls. That's the technical expression. They're very capable toll vessels, while many of the ships we operate are designed for other primary purposes, for example, science.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
There are probably nine capable, two really, really capable, and others that could handle smaller vessels. Is that a fair statement?
Commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
That's a fair statement.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
We are looking at an equitable share of wealth coming out of the ocean, and there does seem to be a tremendous imbalance between the risk undertaken by the various players in the harvest, and the returns that they get.
Minister Wilkinson, is the government open to a good, clear review, and perhaps some changes to the regime on the west coast?