I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting 120 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. This meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, pursuant to the Standing Orders.
Before we proceed I will make a few comments for the benefit of the witnesses and members. Please wait until I recognize you by name before speaking. Please address all comments through the chair.
Before we hear from witnesses, I would like the committee to adopt the budget in the amount of $96,150 for the Fisheries Act statutory review. Keep in mind that we have eight meetings on that study and that a lot of people have demonstrated their interest in appearing. The travel amount for the witnesses is appropriate.
(Motion agreed to)
Thank you for that.
Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted on September 16, the committee is commencing its study on the impact of the reopening of the cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador and Quebec.
Welcome to our witnesses. From the Department of Fisheries we have Adam Burns, assistant deputy minister, programs sector; on Zoom we have William McGillivray, regional director general, Newfoundland and Labrador region; and Bernard Vigneault, director general, ecosystem sciences directorate. Thank you for taking the time to appear today. You will have five minutes or less for your opening statement.
Mr. Burns, you have the floor.