Evidence of meeting #3 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was herring.
A recording is available from Parliament.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Okay.
Well, then, I suggest we move what was supposed to be the herring witnesses from the 26th to the 31st.
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
10:10 a.m.
Liberal
10:10 a.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
I'd just add that I love that.
If we do herring on the 31st and the 2nd, because we agreed to three meetings for herring, then we'd have the department during the first week back. Then we've wrapped up herring by early April; we have it out of the way. Then when we come back from our two break weeks, we can start salmon fresh after Easter, and just focus on getting salmon done.
Does that work for everybody?
10:10 a.m.
Voices
Yes.
10:15 a.m.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC
I want to come back to what I was saying earlier about the fishing season in Quebec. Fishers in eastern Quebec will already be working when we hear from witnesses. People eat crab as early as Easter. Earlier, I thought I sensed a willingness to invite witnesses ahead of the set schedule. If possible, I'd like to do that.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
I'll get to that in a second, Madam Gill. I just want to get a clarification from the committee.
We've said that we'll add some time for drafting instructions for Big Bar on the 24th. Do we want to leave the drafting instructions for the interim thing to after the minister appears before committee?
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Obviously, she's going to be questioned on something.
We'll do it right after the meeting with the minister instead of on the 24th.
Madame Gill, I understand your conundrum completely with the fishery starting. Yes, in April people are putting pots in the water if there's no ice obstruction. Maybe we can have a look at it. If I can get an extra meeting in there somewhere I'll try to see what day would be best for it and come back to committee early with a proposed date or a proposed schedule when we come back after constituency week. Maybe we can add in an extra two hours just to get that started for you.
Mr. Hardie.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Another option would be to move the second Big Bar meeting to after we've heard from the minister and move the herring up to the 24th. That gives Madame Gill's fishers the chance to participate before they're actively fishing. That gives us the opportunity to question the minister directly on Big Bar and have that factor into whatever we send back. It's just a thought.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
You're suggesting that we swap Big Bar on the 24th to the 31st and put herring on the 24th.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
Ken Hardie Liberal Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC
Then we can talk to the minister on the 26th on both issues.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Yes, okay. I understand what you're saying now.
Is everybody in agreement with this before we get too far ahead?
10:15 a.m.
Some hon. members
Agreed.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Ms. Gill, when does the fishery actually open? Is it around April 8 or 9?
10:15 a.m.
Bloc
Marilène Gill Bloc Manicouagan, QC
Yes, sometimes it's the end of March or the beginning of April. I don't know this year.
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
All right, I'll still look at what I originally said about trying to fit in some time. We'll talk about that when we come back to our first meeting on March 10.
Mr. Arnold.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I just want to clarify something. Can the parliamentary secretary confirm whether, when the minister intends to be here on the March 26, it is for the full two hours?
10:15 a.m.
Liberal
Terry Beech Liberal Burnaby North—Seymour, BC
I don't actually know that. That's what we invited the minister for. I've only received confirmation on the date. I can inquire on that for you.
10:15 a.m.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Okay. Thank you.That's what I wanted to clarify.
We specifically asked for an appearance on Big Bar, but I would assume that, with the minister, other questions are open as well. I just want to confirm that with the chair.
