Fisheries Committee on June 15th, 2017

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

I think the minister himself made this clear during question period earlier this week. We are not only keeping the search and rescue component intact on our inland waters, but we are actually looking to expand our services there.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

All right.

This is the final one. One decision that became known to the public, while I happened to be out door-knocking in my constituency.... I had people running out of their houses to chase me down out of concern for what was happening to the salmonid enhancement program. It's been around for 40 years—salmon in the classroom, support for stream-keepers, support for the hatcheries, support for habitat restoration, the work of 10,000 volunteers in British Columbia, worth something like almost $90 million to the provincial GDP—and the word came down that this program was going to be cancelled.

Will the program remain in place, yes or no, and will all of those program elements remain in place?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

I appreciate the question.

I think it's important to understand that the comprehensive review that was conducted by the department was a process that was designed—

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

I'm sorry. I'll let you get to that part. I just need to know. Be clear. Will these programs stay in place or not?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

As a British Columbian and somebody who's been through the program, I'm happy to tell you that these programs are going to stay in place. In fact, they will be buttressed by a new $75-million coastal restoration fund.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

Here's your opportunity to fill in a few blanks.

The process for this decision-making was remarkably, alarmingly tone deaf. For me to find out from a constituent—literally chased down on the street only to be followed up with any number of phone calls and letters from teachers, students, and everybody else—suggests that somewhere in the machinery somebody really wasn't paying attention to what was important to British Columbia. Can we fix that?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

I appreciate the question.

I think I might reflect back to what I was starting on previously.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

This is your opportunity.

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

I appreciate the opportunity.

I think it's important to understand that the comprehensive review process, which was brought forward in budget 2016, looked across the department at what we needed to facilitate our core mandate. A number of programs were looked at.

At the end of the day, my message here is pretty clear. We're keeping these programs. We understand how important these programs are. In fact, this is a good day. We're investing a further $1.4 billion so that we can have increased science, increased coastal restoration, and increased partnerships.

While I understand that there might have been some speculation, you have to understand that there's a Treasury Board process and then there's also a consultation process. The same way that you hear from your constituents, I hear from constituents. We take in all this information. We consult with our indigenous partners. We consult with these volunteer organizations. The minister understands how important these programs are, and that's why they're going to continue.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

I really appreciate this clarification, because it puts to rest some things that came up, perhaps needlessly. Again, it appears to be more of a process issue than anything else.

We've heard many times in the course of our studies the fact that Coast Guard and DFO resources are stretched. There are things that people want more of, particularly being closer to the community, which is why the salmonid enhancement program is such a great bridge between DFO and people on the ground. All those volunteers and all the work they do really enhance the reputation of the DFO, which we fear has been trying to become more isolated, being kind of impervious to outside science, outside input.

To maintain these programs, especially in British Columbia, and especially given the landscape that's there, is really a very productive thing. I hope it signals not just the fact that we are investing more but that part of that investment will be, in fact, closer connections with the community.

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

I appreciate that point, Mr. Hardie.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Coast Guard, for the last decade, have come under significant funding pressures. When you're under significant pressure, you have to prioritize. It doesn't necessarily mean that you can do everything you want to do. In this case, it meant that significant parts of our core mandate were actually threatened. That's what we are now fixing with this $1.4-billion investment. The fact that a $1.5-billion investment in the oceans protection plan preceded that means that we now have, between budget 2016 and budget 2017, almost $3 billion to not only address our core mandate but to do many of the things this committee has been recommending we do.

[The Chair, Liberal, Scott Simms]

Thank you, Mr. Hardie.

Mr. Doherty, you have seven minutes, please.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I want to start off today by saying we're very happy that the parliamentary secretary is here.

I will apologize. I'm a bit confused. At the end of May, the department announced cuts: the B.C. dive team, the salmon enhancement program. It's now June 15 and you've reversed this decision. It is interesting to note that, when we talk about consultation, I don't feel so bad that even members of their own caucus in B.C. weren't consulted on this.

What made the department reverse its decision?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

I wouldn't necessarily call it a reversal, Mr. Doherty. As I stated earlier, there was a Treasury Board process that was facilitated. You are correct in that various employees were notified that, if things were brought forward, potentially their individual positions could change as a result of that. That's a standard process that happens as part of that process.

As I stated previously, all of these programs are continuing and are supported by the minister.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Interesting. Where is the money coming from to reinstate these programs?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

That's a good question. I'll turn it over to our CFO.

[Tony Matson, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer, Department of Fisheries and Oceans]

As the parliamentary secretary mentioned, we did respect the thorough budgetary process that was conducted through the Treasury Board. These reductions and reallocations toward higher priorities are being respected entirely, and the funding to continue the salmon enhancement program will come from within the department from other lower priority departmental programming.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

So the money will come from other areas.

[Tony Matson]

It will come from within the organization.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

You made a big announcement here at the committee, which we appreciate. Will a formal release come out indicating all the services and programs mentioned in your presentation today? Will that be released?

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

I'm certain there will be communication, absolutely.

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

I want to go back. Define your inland waterways.

I want to make very clear—similar to what my colleague asked—once again that the Coast Guard stations at Gimli, Selkirk, and Kenora will not be closed, specifically.

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

Are you at the end of the question?

[Todd Doherty, Conservative, Cariboo—Prince George, BC]

Yes.

[Terry Beech, Liberal, Burnaby North—Seymour, BC]

It sounded as if there was more coming.