Evidence of meeting #121 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 dredging.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:05 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I wouldn't say that. We update the data on the quality of our facilities on an ongoing basis, but I have to say to the committee that we are currently undertaking an exercise where we are going to be retaining a consultant to do another refresh of our data.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Okay, thank you.
Ms. Lapointe and Ms. Frenette, how long have you been with this department?
4:05 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I've been with the department since 2000.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
4:05 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
No.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
4:05 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I just started in September of last year.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Okay, so you're fairly new to it.
Has there been an asset management plan that's been done?
4:05 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Well, we haven't.... The data we have for 2013 was the beginning of an asset management plan. The information that we have on the condition of the facilities allows us to have good data to plan. The absence of A-based funding and stable funding has affected our ability to really plan strategically.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Okay, but you did say in earlier testimony that you do meet with harbour authorities once a year, and you stay in constant contact with them. Is that correct? That was the testimony we heard earlier.
4:05 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, and—
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Sorry to cut you off. Ms. Lapointe and Ms. Frenette, you both would understand the condition of the harbours on an ongoing basis. Is that right?
4:05 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
In the absence of scientific data, you would hear from them. Is that correct?
4:05 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes.
4:05 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
It is frustrating for me.... Again, I apologize for coming in late. It's easy to say that more money would solve all the problems, yet you stand before us and say there's no data from 2013 until today. I don't know whether there's been data previous to that. We can stand up here and say that climate change has done this and we're seeing ongoing issues with that, but we have no data. It is a challenge for me when the department officials who come before us....
Now I'm on a soapbox.
It is your department to manage. These are under your purview. Is that correct?
4:10 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
If there are issues such as antiquated small craft harbours or small craft harbours in need of repair, rather than relying on the volunteers to try to make it work, our department should be doing everything in its power to bring it up. Isn't that correct?
I have a simple question. Why are we sitting here today and hearing that there has been no data for five years?
4:10 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I wouldn't say that there has been no data for five years. A fulsome assessment, where we have a number that captures the full inventory, the most up-to-date information, is from 2013, but—
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Perfect. Let me cut you off. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry, guys. You have officers who are on the ground or officials who are on the ground. Is that correct?
4:10 p.m.
Director General, Small Craft Harbours, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes.
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
Todd Doherty Conservative Cariboo—Prince George, BC
Yes. Are you hearing concerns from them on a daily basis with respect to our small craft harbours, Ms. Lapointe?
4:10 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Yes, we hear concerns. You know—
4:10 p.m.
Conservative
4:10 p.m.
Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We only have a limited pot of money, and we try to get to the ones that are the highest priority, which is based on safety—