Evidence of meeting #19 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 research.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Arran McPherson  Director General, Ecosystem Science Directorate, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Blair Greenan  Head, Oceanography and Climate Section (Maritimes Region), Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Jay Parsons  Director, Aquaculture, Biotechnology and Aquatic Animal Health Science Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Daniel Duplisea  Research Scientist, Stock assessment and Ecosystem Approach (Québec Region), Department of Fisheries and Oceans

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

On that agreeable note, we'll--

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Are we meeting on Thursday?

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

I heard no.

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

I put in a motion, so I want to read out my motion.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Ken McDonald Liberal Avalon, NL

Are we going to committee business now?

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

I move:

That the Committee instruct the analyst to prepare a summary of evidence based on testimony heard from witnesses on the Relevance of the Principle of Adjacency and the Owner-Operator and Fleet Separation Policies in the Pacific Region; that the summary be reviewed by the committee; and that the Chair write to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to present the summary of evidence.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

The committee has heard the motion. Does anyone want to comment on the motion? Mr. Donnelly gave the requisite 48 hours' notice, so it is completely in order.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Ken McDonald Liberal Avalon, NL

Do we need to detain the witnesses any longer? I'm not sure I should say “detain”.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

I think we can excuse the witnesses.

I will suspend for a few minutes.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

I call the meeting to order.

We have a motion before us. Are there any comments on the motion?

The one issue, colleagues, is the timing. If it is passed, it may not be possible to prepare it in time. It may have to be completed in September. That's the only thing I see.

Is there any discussion on the motion?

Go ahead, Mr. Donnelly.

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

Thanks, Mr. Chair.

I'm not sure about why that would have to wait. Are you saying that the analyst is going on holidays or something?

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

He is away right now.

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

I'm sure there's somebody who can fill in and work for him.

We did hear last week from witnesses. I think it was compelling information. I think we should at least provide the summary of what was said, the evidence that was provided, and get that to the minister. Some of the witnesses have written to the minister directly and want to get that information to him. This is a big deal in their community. They're very concerned about the impact of the closure of the cannery and that element in their community.

If we at least prepare the summary of evidence that we heard, then we can move from there right to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and present that summary of evidence. I think that would be a good move.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

Mrs. Jordan.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Bernadette Jordan Liberal South Shore—St. Margarets, NS

On a point of order, Mr. Chair, I believe we had agreed early on in our sessions that any committee business would be done in camera.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

Anybody can move that.

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Bernadette Jordan Liberal South Shore—St. Margarets, NS

So moved.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

Who is in favour of going in camera?

4:55 p.m.

Liberal

Bernadette Jordan Liberal South Shore—St. Margarets, NS

We don't have to vote. Once it's requested, we have to....

4:55 p.m.

An hon. member

We don't have to vote.

4:55 p.m.

An hon. member

Yes, you do.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

Yes, we do have to vote.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

Mark Strahl Conservative Chilliwack—Hope, BC

There's no debate, but there's still a vote.

4:55 p.m.

Conservative

The Vice-Chair Conservative Robert Sopuck

There's no debate, but there is a vote.

Mr. Donnelly.

4:55 p.m.

NDP

Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC

It's a shame that we're going to close off discussion of a motion and go in camera on what should be available to the public.

I obviously am going to vote against this motion. I'm ashamed that the government side is doing this.