Fisheries Committee on May 6th, 2019

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Are you getting zero funding?

[Margo Jarvis Redelback]

Yes, we get zero funding. Everything that we have—

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

I need to move on because I'm running out of time.

For the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities, are you getting any funding from the...?

[Raymond Orb]

Not that I know of at this time, but we do have potash available in this province.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

That's very well understood. Scott Moe and Brad Wall have made that abundantly clear.

Shuswap Watershed Council, are you getting any funding from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans?

[Erin Vieira, Program Manager, Shuswap Watershed Council]

We have zero funding from the department.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

I'll move on to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters.

Mr. DeMille, can you give us any indication of what the risks are for natural vectors, such as migratory birds, pelicans or anything like that? Has there been any assessment done of whether or not they, as natural vectors, could be a problem with moving things around?

[Matt DeMille]

Do you mean for a particular species, or just in general?

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

I mean in general.

[Matt DeMille]

Sophie, do you have anything?

[Sophie Monfette]

There is nothing I could speak to. I'm not certain at this time.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Okay. Does anybody believe that Transport Canada, as the registrar of boating or watercraft, bears any responsibility in helping assist with the aquatic invasive program? Has anybody given any thought to that?

Go ahead, SARM.

[Raymond Orb]

I think we would have some interest in that. We think Transport Canada should have responsibility. It was mentioned earlier on that float planes are under the jurisdiction of Transport Canada as well. There should be some responsibility. We have a lot of fly-in fishing camps. The implications for AIS on the tourism aspect of the angling industry is a very high impact.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

I also have Mr. McLean and Ms. Jarvis Redelback who want to discuss this.

Mr. McLean.

[Bob McLean]

I think Transport Canada could play a role with respect to awareness. When people are getting a licence, they could indicate that there is a risk and indicate where to go to get information to manage that risk. I think there is a role.

[Margo Jarvis Redelback]

I would just add that there may be an opportunity to generate funds through the licensing system of watercraft through Transport Canada as well, in order to assist with funding the various programs associated with aquatic invasive species in the future.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Red Deer—Lacombe, AB]

Mr. Chair, I know I'm out of time, but just for the edification of the committee members, not every watercraft in Canada needs to be registered with Transport Canada. It requires a certain horsepower of motor in order for it to be. There's an opportunity there but it's not a fulsome opportunity, and I think it's something the committee should explore.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Calkins.

Now we will go to Mr. Morrissey, for five minutes or less, please.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

I would like to follow up on the questioning to the watershed groups in relation to funding from DFO. Did you ever get funding from DFO?

[Erin Vieira]

No.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

In the past 10 years, you never got funding to assist you in the work you're doing?

[Erin Vieira]

The Shuswap Watershed Council was formed in 2014 and it is fully funded by local government.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

You started in 2014 and you've had no funding since then.

[Erin Vieira]

That's correct.