Evidence of meeting #36 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 dfo.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Pat Finnigan Liberal Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Do you think that should be enshrined in the act, or how should that be...?
Fisheries Biologist, As an Individual
I think it's beyond the capability of a human organization to be directed to restore all stocks to a healthy status, unless the United Nations and everyone else is going to get together and reduce global warming, and we do this and ten times the research we do. It's good to have it, but at times it will be unachievable, unfortunately. We are into a bit of a downward spiral. With global warming and many other pressures on the resource, that's probably going to continue, sadly so.
Liberal
Pat Finnigan Liberal Miramichi—Grand Lake, NB
Is there room for aquaculture in the ocean? Do you think there are ways that we can safely practise aquaculture, whether it be open or in closed cage, recirculating water? Do you have an opinion on that?
Fisheries Biologist, As an Individual
I was in DFO when aquaculture became a big issue, and then I worked at the David Suzuki Foundation for a few years on aquaculture issues. I don't think you should have open net-cage fish farming. That creates disease problems. We know any time you put a lot of cattle or fish together, it's almost a disease breeding area—the same with humans. That shouldn't affect the wild stocks in that area, so you could have some containment structure in place.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Thank you, Mr. Langer, I appreciate it.
We have to call it to an end there because we're out of time.
Ms. Nowlan, it was nice to have you with us today and Mr. Langer as well. We thank you.
We're going to take a short break—
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Chair, on a point of order, I received a letter on November 21 from Lisa Fong of Ng Ariss Fong law firm. She is requesting that the Heiltsuk First Nation appear as a witness before the committee regarding the Fisheries Act, and the clerk has advised—
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Mr. Donnelly, we've already been through this. You yourself can provide the names of people to appear as witnesses. We've done this already. I'm not quite sure this is a point of order; it's a point of contention, perhaps, but nevertheless, I think you were given—
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
I was seeking clarification, Mr. Chair. The last part is that the clerk has done exactly what you're saying, which is advise them to seek out and ask an individual member. I'm wondering how I should respond to them, given where we are in this study. They're not on the list.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Why don't we just call this to a close, and then we'll talk to the clerk to fix the situation, okay?
November 23rd, 2016 / 4:25 p.m.
Conservative
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
I'd like to propose a motion for the committee in light of all the testimony and the desire for the—
Liberal
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
No, I didn't believe I needed that just to provide a motion for the committee.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Do you mean a motion relating to business before the committee as of right now?
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
I move:
That the Committee request from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) all input received from DFO’s online public consultation related to the Fisheries Act Review to date; that this public input be provided to the Committee within 7 days of the passing of this motion; and that all input received for this consultation in future be also provided to the Committee within 7 days of receipt by the department.
Liberal
NDP
Fin Donnelly NDP Port Moody—Coquitlam, BC
Mr. Chair, it's just for clarification.
I think it's a good motion. I'm just wondering about the deadline for input. It is November 30, I believe, so if there's some clarification, maybe Mr. Arnold could speak to that if he is thinking it would be now, as opposed to—
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
I just want to get this moved forward as soon as possible, because I'm sure there's a huge volume of that information. I would hate for it to be provided late in our deliberations.