Evidence of meeting #72 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 oceans.
A video is available from Parliament.
Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I think it would look more broadly at standards. It may say, “This is what we think should happen with respect to no-take zones generally, and here's what the science advice says. Here's what we think the standards should be with respect to this or that type of extractive activity. Here's what timelines should be.” There are a number of different types of standards that they can take a look at.
Jeff, do you have anything else to add?
Director General, Oceans and Fisheries Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
No. I would just say that we would go back to some of the remarks that the minister made this morning when it came to aboriginal rights as well, especially the example he used for wildlife in the Arctic, which is constitutionally protected. There are certain constitutional rights, so to establish a no-take zone across the board wouldn't necessarily be congruent with that. Those are some of the things that he's obviously seeking advice on in terms of establishing it in the correct way.
Philippe Morel Assistant Deputy Minister, Aquatic Ecosystems Sector, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I think it may be important for this panel to look at.... Each MPA is established based on conservation targets or objectives. Minimum standards may be different for all of them or for some categories of MPAs, and certainly expert advice would be welcome. Are we protecting habitats? Are we protecting sponges or corals, or are we protecting the whole area from some human activities? I imagine the minimum standards would be different, although some minimum standards can be applied to all MPAs and some cannot.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Scott Simms
Okay. Thank you.
We now have exactly 22 minutes and 30 seconds to get over to vote.
I do want to thank Mr. MacDonald, Mr. Stringer, and Mr. Morel for joining us. Hopefully, we can talk to you again soon as we go through this legislation.
At that, I'll call it to an end. Thank you, everybody.
The meeting is adjourned.