Evidence of meeting #137 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 river.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:45 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
No kidding. Thank you for that.
The person on the phone wanted to comment.
5:45 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
It's Gord Johns. No problem. You're welcome to add if you have anything.
In terms of best practices, does any of you want to add more in terms of recommendations? You have an opportunity here.
5:45 p.m.
President, Miramichi Salmon Association Inc.
I worked with Fisheries and Oceans for 18 years. While I was in Prince Edward Island, I used to meet with every local community fish and game club about once a week for at least a phone call. Today, now, I sit on the other side of the table. We have a recreational fisheries coordinator in the gulf region of Moncton, and maybe once every few months we might get a phone call.
If your job is to be a recreational fisheries coordinator and Atlantic salmon and striped bass are the biggest issues, Bill Taylor should be called, I should be called, and the rest of you people should be called. You should be out there in a constant dialogue, and that just doesn't happen.
I think the community relations and getting into the core of the people is not what's happening. It used to be back when I worked there. We were out there every day talking to people, and that's not happening today.
5:50 p.m.
Chair, Fisheries Committee, New Brunswick Salmon Council
The New Brunswick Salmon Council has a proposal out to develop a fisheries liaison committee that might fit under that, including government and stakeholders. We can send you the details on that if you'd like.
5:50 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
If you could, please do that.
We're out of time right now. Before we suspend to go in camera to deal with some drafting instructions, I would again like to thank our witnesses, John Pugh and John Bagnall, by telephone, and Mr. Taylor, Mr. Hambrook, Ms. Norton and Chief Ginnish. Thank you for appearing as witnesses today and for sharing your knowledge with the committee on this important topic.
We will suspend for a couple of minutes to get reorganized.
[Proceedings continue in camera]