Fisheries Committee on Feb. 25th, 2020

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Mr. Chair, given that notice of motion was given, I move the following motion:

That given the potential consequences of seal predation on fish stocks along the East coast and following the government's creation of an Atlantic Seal Science Task Team; the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans undertake a study on seal predation and its effects on Atlantic fish stocks, primarily off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador and explore the potential for other viable domestic markets for seal products; that the committee strongly consider travel to countries such as Scotland, Norway and Iceland, which acted to conserve fish stocks as a result of seal populations; that the chair be empowered to coordinate the necessary witnesses, travel, resources and scheduling to complete this task; that the Committee call witnesses including senior departmental officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and interested stakeholder groups to testify before the Committee; and that the Committee report its conclusions and recommendations to the House of Commons.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

We've heard the motion.

Mr. Blanchette-Joncas.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

I want to move an amendment to the motion to also include the coasts of eastern Canada and Quebec. We handed out the amendment to the motion, which reads as follows:

That given the potential consequences of seal predation on fish stocks along the coasts of eastern Canada and Quebec and following the government's creation of an Atlantic seal science task team; that the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans undertake a study on seal predation and their effects on Atlantic fish stocks, primarily off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec

These words should be added, because seals are also found in the Saint Lawrence, and this presence should be included.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Mr. Arnold.

This is debate on the amendment, I presume.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

On the amendment, I think it needs to be expanded further, whether that would be a subamendment or whether it would be to withdraw the member's amendment and submit another one.

Seal predation is a major issue on all coasts of Canada, especially the east and west coasts. We could do that by striking out references to specific areas, which is what I was going to move as an amendment. At this point, I would be opposed to the current amendment, but I am wanting to make a different amendment.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Do you want to make a subamendment to the amendment?

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

I don't have a copy of his amendment. Mine, quite simply, is mostly just striking out words. It would be quite simple. Just strike out “along the East coast” and strike out “Atlantic” and insert “Canada”.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Mr. Blanchette-Joncas is in agreement with changing it to “Canada” versus “Atlantic” and “Quebec”.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

It's a friendly amendment, then, right? We would strike out “along the east coast”. The amendment, the motion, would read, “That given the potential consequences of seal predation on fish stocks and following the government's creation of an Atlantic Seal Science Task Team; that the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans undertake a study on seal predation and its effects on Canada's fish stocks”.

It would be “Canada's fish stocks” and we would strike out “primarily off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador”. We would simply strike that out, and then the rest of the motion would stand.

[An hon. member]

Does it still have “Scotland, Norway and Iceland” in it?

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

Yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

He didn't take that out.

(Amendment agreed to)

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Is there any discussion on the amended motion?

Mr. Johns.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

I'm concerned there's no specific mention of consultation with indigenous communities, Inuit and Métis, and making sure we have representation from the Atlantic seal science task team. It should be broadened, because we want to make sure that, in this study, we're looking at a whole-of-ecosystem management based approach to the impact of any sort of seal harvest that might take place.

I'm trying to think of how we can work on this together, sounds like Mr. Beech has some thoughts on this. I'm just thinking of broadening that to ensure that we're including the Inuit on the north coast, first nations and Métis on the west and east coasts.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Mr. Arnold.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I thank Mr. Johns for bringing that up. As I mentioned in my intervention a moment ago, seal predation is a concern on all coasts. It seems to be highlighted on the east and west coasts, because they have a recognized seal harvest with the Inuit. We do certainly need to hear from those group as to how important those opportunities are, especially in those remote communities.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Can I move an amendment right now?

I wish to add “to coordinate the necessary witnesses including Métis, Inuit and first nations communities”. Would that be the place? Maybe the clerk can help in terms of where we can add that, so it's in the motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Everybody has heard the amendment. Is there any discussion?

Mr. Blanchette-Joncas.

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

I might want to amend the subamendment by replacing the word “Métis” with “Indigenous” or “first nations,” to avoid confusion.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Is it removing “Métis, Inuit and first nations” or is it adding “indigenous” to that?

[Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Bloc, Rimouski-Neigette—Témiscouata—Les Basques, QC]

I'm simply proposing that they be replaced by the word “Indigenous,” which has a more comprehensive and generic meaning.

(Amendment agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

We will go back to the main motion as amended.

(Motion as amended agreed to [See Minutes of Proceedings])

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, I'd like to move another motion as soon as we can get it out to the interpreters and distributed.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

You can start now, Mr. Arnold. Everybody seems to have a copy.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Whereas the application of non-selective fishing methods and fishing gears impacts non-targeted species and stocks, some of which are in a critical state, near extirpation, I move, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2):

That the Committee undertake a study examining fish harvesting regulations and selective fishing gears that could reduce by-catch of non-target species; and

That the Committee allot no fewer than six (6) two-hour meetings to receive said testimony; and

That the Committee also accept written briefs from individuals or organizations who wish to submit input; and

That the Committee submit its findings with recommendations in a report to the House with a request for a Government Response.