Evidence of meeting #114 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was budget.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
With all respect, it looks like that is a prepared response. Could I ask you to provide that to the committee in writing in the effort of saving time here and really get to the key points that you think are the reason for things getting this bad?
Minister of Environment, Government of Yukon
Thank you, Mr. Vice-Chair.
The bottom line is that these are the reasons. I'm sure that you have heard that from the other witnesses who have provided answers, such as Chief Frost, Chief Nicole Tom, Tim Gerberding, Brady Mayes and Bryce Bekar. They are from various first nations, and Bryce Bekar is from the Yukon Fish and Game Association—
Conservative
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Has it been inaction of the Yukon territorial government, the Canadian government, the U.S. government or any government that has in part or totally led to this?
Minister of Environment, Government of Yukon
I mean, notwithstanding your contention that I have prepared comments, these are the reasons for the decline.
I think the biggest challenge recently has been that subsistence fishing on the American side between Eagle and Nome, basically, is interpreted as being fishing of salmon at a certain level, which has been quite significant.
Ultimately, I met with Commissioner Vincent-Lang from the state of Alaska, who's the fisheries and wildlife commissioner, and there is an agreement now to try to reach a passage level at Eagle, from Alaska into Yukon, of 70,000 fish. In 2023, 15,304 Yukon River chinook entered Canada, far short of the pre-season estimate of 26,000—
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Okay, I think I get where you're going with this—
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
There's been possibly excessive catch on the American side. Are you aware of any diplomacy between the federal fisheries minister and the U.S. counterpart to address this, or has it all been done by Yukon representatives?
Minister of Environment, Government of Yukon
I'm not aware of active discussions. I know that they are occurring between DFO and the federal government; however, there is now the Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee. There is an agreement now to limit salmon catch for a full seven-year cycle to try to reach an escapement goal of 70,000 fish. I know that—
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
We're aware of the Yukon agreement that has recently been signed.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC
Just quickly, because we have a minute left, what have you learned about the impacts or the effectiveness of the Pacific Salmon Treaty in the sustainability of Yukon River salmon, specific to the treaty and its effect on Canadian fisheries?
Minister of Environment, Government of Yukon
I know that a lot of funds have been dedicated for the B.C. west coast. I know that our government, both the premier and I, are advocating to the federal government to divert some of the funds that have been provided specifically for B.C. salmon restoration and divert them to the Yukon River restoration efforts, and those discussions continue. We know that it was not insubstantial funding that was provided to enable the B.C. salmon restoration.
Yes, those discussions are ongoing, but just to finish—I know you are finished and thank you for your questions—we are cautiously optimistic, based on the concessions that have been made by our Alaskan friends and neighbours with respect to trying to preserve the seven-year cycle of salmon and increasing the escapement goal to 70,000.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you.
We'll now go to Mr. Hanley for six minutes or less, please.
Liberal
Liberal
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
It's good to see a little peek at the Yukon out the windows behind you, as well.
Building on Mr. Arnold's questions, we have certainly heard how important this seven-year, full-cycle moratorium is and how significant that is. However, many of our witnesses have expressed that this is really a beginning and not an end, and certainly not a measure in itself that will be sufficient.
I was happy to hear you talk about the intergovernmental strategy. Maybe you can tell me a bit more about what your vision is, as a minister, in terms of the Yukon government's role to protect and rebuild salmon, as well as maybe a little more about the intergovernmental strategy.
Minister of Environment, Government of Yukon
Thank you, MP Hanley.
There are a number of possible initiatives. I believe that the Yukon government and my ministry does want to occupy the field in a more significant manner.
I do have some examples of where we're going. The Department of Environment supports the idea of a Yukon-based conservation hatchery, and we are continuing discussions with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Yukon first nations to provide support when called upon.
Department of Environment staff have met with the Kwanlin Dun First Nation, which is the largest first nation in the Yukon and is largely an urban Whitehorse first nation. We met on September 11, 2023, in order to discuss how the department can support the development of the new Kwanlin Dun First Nation salmon stewardship centre, which will include a Kwanlin Dun First Nation-led conservation hatchery feasibility study. We will continue to work with Kwanlin Dun First Nation to support this project and look forward to the next steps as well.
Liberal
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
Minister, thank you for that.
I'm going to pull a Mr. Arnold and ask you to submit the rest of that in writing if you could, because I want to change topics in the small amount of time I have.
Liberal
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
We have heard from at least some witnesses—and certainly I've heard lots of concern—about the interplay between resource extraction and salmon habitat. I wonder if, as environment minister, you could comment on what your assessment is of that interaction.
Minister of Environment, Government of Yukon
Thank you, MP Hanley.
I do have somewhat comprehensive notes on this, but I will try to provide a relatively quick summary.
The Yukon government, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and decision bodies, during the environmental assessment, review placer mining projects and their impacts on salmon and salmon habitat. Both governments consult with impacted first nations to mitigate impacts to salmon and other fisheries before projects enter the licensing stage by the Yukon Water Board.
During the licensing stage, the Yukon Water Board will consider the fish habitat management system for Yukon placer mining, as well as terms and conditions related to diversions, settling, and suspended and settleable sediment discharge standards of each creek. If a placer mining project is allowed to proceed after assessment and regulatory reviews, monitoring programs are in place under the fish habitat management system to ensure that objectives of the fish habitat management system are achieved.
The fish habitat management system aims to protect fish and fish habitat while supporting a sustainable placer industry. This management system is a requirement of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and is jointly enforced by the Yukon government's compliance, monitoring and inspections office.
Yukon remains committed to working with DFO on the ongoing administration of the fish habitat management system for Yukon placer mining.