Evidence of meeting #116 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 owner.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
I'm sorry, Ms. Barron.
If we could get an answer to that in writing, it would be better. Ms. Barron has gone way over her two-and-a-half-minute mark.
We'll move on now to Mr. Small for five minutes or less.
Conservative
Clifford Small Conservative Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL
Thank you, Mr. Chair.
As a welcome back gift to the MP Barron and the NDP—welcome back to the opposition side—I'm going to offer you that five minutes I had.
Liberal
NDP
Lisa Marie Barron NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Thank you so much.
To my colleague, I have never left the opposition side, but I always appreciate warm welcomes, consistently.
Perhaps I can ask for a response to my question.
Thank you so much for the time.
Director, Marine Protection, Environmental Policy, Department of Transport
I'm happy to provide a response to that question. Thank you for raising the issue of Union Bay.
As I mentioned, it is a co-operation between the federal government, the province and the local authorities. I believe the question was whether we are having that good co-operation.
I can say that we are. There are discussions relating to that particular issue happening regularly between the Department of the Environment, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Transport Canada, the various provincial agencies that are responsible, local indigenous groups and others in order to make sure all of the rules are being followed.
I am aware of the fact that there has been some enforcement action taken by the province when it comes to Union Bay, even recently. It is certainly being looked at quite carefully by all of these orders of government, which are together taking into account the situation there on the ground.
NDP
Lisa Marie Barron NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Thank you. My next question is around mooring plans.
On the west coast, we have situations where people are anchoring in areas where they're allowed to anchor, but there's no plan around the spot where they're anchoring. I hate to use this example, but it was provided to me, so now I'm going to. A young man went out to the pub and somebody offered him a boat for $100. He thought, “Oh, this is great. I'll get a boat.” He got the boat for $100, then realized the boat was far too damaged to be worth doing anything with. He just left it there. It was anchored and left to sit there because it was far more expensive for him to do anything about it than it was to just leave it sitting there.
One thing that's been brought to my attention is this: If there was a mooring plan that provided some sort of planning process for where boats can be left anchored, it would help us with the identification of and responsibility for these vessels.
I'm wondering if I can get a federal perspective on that.
Executive Director, Legislative, Regulatory and International Affairs, Department of Transport
I think this points to the importance of the regulatory changes I spoke about earlier in the context of making sure the information in the pleasure craft licensing database is as up to date as possible and the vessels are appropriately marked, so the previous owner in a transaction such as that could be tracked down via the appropriate processes. At that point, once it becomes a vessel that is abandoned, dilapidated or derelict....
I'll first pass the microphone to my colleague in the navigation protection program.
Director, Operations and Regulatory Development, Department of Transport
Thank you.
We consider a vessel that has been moored unlawfully or without consent for over 60 days dilapidated. Therefore, we'd be able to take action on it.
NDP
Lisa Marie Barron NDP Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC
Thank you.
My final question, because I believe I have a bit of time left, is around the co-operation we were talking about.
I know there are many first nations in my riding. For example, the Snuneymuxw First Nation has an entire pilot. They're ready and willing to do the work alongside the federal government to clean up the vessels in Snuneymuxw territory. They just need to see the federal government working alongside them. There's a wealth of local knowledge—a ton. They just need the resources to do the work effectively.
What does that look like?
Director, Marine Environmental and Hazards Response, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Thank you very much for the question.
The Canadian Coast Guard, Transport Canada and our Government of Canada partners recognize the important role that indigenous communities, in particular first nations, play on the west coast. Through the oceans protection plan, there have been investments made to expand the participation of indigenous communities in the marine emergency response network. We are leveraging those investments to do so and growing those partnerships.
In particular, we're working on the west coast with the Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, for example, and we're piloting ways to understand how we can bring indigenous communities into the network to monitor wrecked, abandoned or hazardous vessels—or anything of concern—and contribute that information back to the system in order to be full partners in that.
We're also leveraging technology through Canadian firms such as BRNKL that provide us with monitoring abilities from a remote destination. We can put a kit on board that's about the size of a suitcase, unpack it and understand whether the vessel is staying in the same location, taking on water or listing—things like that. We're working very effectively, I think, to expand those partnerships and find nations that would like to partner with us on this.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
It's over time. We're going to call it a day.
I believe Mr. Hanley has something he wants to say before I thank our witnesses for their appearance here today.
Mr. Hanley.
Conservative
September 18th, 2024 / 6:25 p.m.
Liberal
Brendan Hanley Liberal Yukon, YT
I'll be quick, Mr. Small.
As the chair mentioned at the beginning, I am moving to the indigenous and northern affairs committee. I want to take this chance to thank you, Mr. Chair, for your excellent chairing over the three years I've been on this committee.
I also want to thank the clerk, the analysts and the supporting staff, and I want to thank all the members for their participation, collegiality and support. I think it's been a great committee. I've learned a lot. We've accomplished a lot, and I hope that continues.
I'll be back next week as a sub for the Yukon report, so I will be seeing more of you.
Thank you very much.
Conservative
Richard Bragdon Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
I won't keep you over time. This is very collegial.
Conservative
Richard Bragdon Conservative Tobique—Mactaquac, NB
I just want to say, Dr. Hanley, that you've been a pleasure to have on the committee. I always enjoy your feedback and input. I look forward to seeing you come quite regularly as a sub as we try and draft Mr. Calkins in as much as we can, too, through subbing. It's great to have you show up any time. You're welcome.
Thank you, witnesses.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you to the Department of Transport and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans for your appearance here today and for sharing your knowledge with the committee for two hours. I'm sure we'll see you again somewhere along the way.
Just as a reminder, next Monday we will start consideration of version one of the draft report on the Yukon salmon study. That's the one Mr. Hanley might be interested in. Again, enjoy.
The meeting is adjourned.