Fisheries Committee on Oct. 23rd, 2024

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

On behalf of the British Columbia side we hope there's a reconsideration of the Cohen report recommendations. I think a lot of positive work has been done, but there are still gaps that I think need to be addressed. Even if it's to say "No, we're not going to do it", at least we'll know where we stand.

I read through the draft salmon aquaculture transition plan for British Columbia and it would seem that a fair bit of work was done to cover the ground to talk to a lot of the stakeholders, but what I really honestly didn't see in the transition plan was consultation with the aquaculture industry itself. I know that we've had a lot of discussions with them and they've resisted everything that we've come forward with about the problems and the difficulties that we've seen over time, but I'm wondering if, notwithstanding what may or may not be in the transition plan, there is ongoing dialogue with the industry out there about their future in British Columbia.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Yes, the dialogue is ongoing. What was tabled is not a final transition plan. We must continue our efforts to make that transition, working not only with the aquaculture industry but also with the provincial government, Indigenous communities and the federal government. Work on this transition is proceeding, while protecting Canadians' food security.

[Ken Hardie, Liberal, Fleetwood—Port Kells, BC]

This leads basically to another question. First and foremost, the aquaculture industry finally woke up to the fact that you and your immediate predecessor were really serious about reforming that whole industry. In the work that's been done since, the new regimes being brought in are quite brave and very definitive, and I believe the west coast thanks you very much for that. But along the way we in this committee particularly took a very very close work at the science being conducted by the DFO. I think the gentlest way of putting it is that there were some gaps in our confidence in that the science being done and presented as evidence for decision-making fell short, particularly when it did come to aquaculture.

I'm wondering if you can give us the latest background on moves to add a little bit more credibility to science at the DFO. I'm concerned, for instance, that some of the studies done were funded by the aquaculture industry, and enlightened self-interest, of course, can worm its way in there. What can you tell us about the state of science at the DFO on the west coast? Are you convinced that they're doing their job?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

What I can tell my colleague is that the science is evolving. Across the world, when it comes to aquaculture, whether it's industry or government, people want the best possible practices to protect wildlife species.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada therefore works in collaboration with universities, environmental groups and everyone across the aquaculture sector. The department's objectives are to ensure the protection of wildlife species and to foster interactions between the two sectors. That work is ongoing, and it must continue.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Minister.

We move now to the next questioner, Madame Desbiens, for six minutes or less, please.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to thank the witnesses for joining us.

Good afternoon, Minister.

Before I ask my question, I want to draw your attention to a letter that was sent to you in May, so several months ago. The same letter was sent to Canada Economic Development, Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada from EcoMaris. EcoMaris is a training boat for people in the Coast Guard, in particular, but also for indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

The letter explains that a man was the victim of a Transport Canada error, related to the certification of a vessel before and after its purchase. He is dealing with a funding deficit, and his application remains unanswered. I think it's important to look into this problem, because many young people, having dropped out, return to school to resume learning thanks to this school boat, which performs miracles.

Thank you.

Minister, we heard recently that tens of millions of dollars were invested in offshore boats several months ago. Coincidentally, the redfish fishery was then opened. Now we have the opening of the cod fishery. We asked the harvesters whether they had invested any money. They told us that they had indeed invested several million dollars.

Were these offshore harvesters, who received significant quotas, aware of the opening of these fisheries, since they invested so much money?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

With respect to opening the redfish fishery, it was very clear that money from the Canada Fisheries Fund would be set aside to help boats and businesses adapt to the reopening of a new fishery.

Whether we're talking about midshore or offshore boats, I can tell you that this initiative puts people in our regions to work in our plants.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

In essence, you're saying that things are going fairly well in Canada. However, things are not going so well in Quebec.

If there was money to support those boats, can we hope that pelagic harvesters and the dozens of shrimpers in dry docks will also receive some support and significant quotas, so they can make a living from fishing at some point?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

The quotas allotted in Quebec were part of the historical quotas planned for the province. I'm very proud to be able to say that those quotas were preserved. We've even allocated a little more to Quebec fishers.

That said, fishers have applied to the Canada Fisheries Fund. I expect to approve the amounts for this fund very soon. You were right to bring it up.

Last week, we held discussions with redfish harvesters. As we said, it's a start to opening the fishery. The moratorium lasted 30 years, so we gave people two years to adapt. During our discussions last week, we talked about having a little more flexibility.

The main thing was to open the redfish fishery, but we also had to be sure to protect the bycatch. According to the latest reports, some boats went fishing around Newfoundland, and I believe they returned with 43 tonnes of redfish.

The work is being done, but it must also be understood that, after a 30-year closure, everyone is adapting. That includes processing plants as well.

As a reminder, I announced the opening of these fisheries less than a year ago.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Thank you.

I'm glad to hear that. I hope that shrimpers and pelagic fishers are listening to us, as they secured the mooring lines a few months ago, if not a few years ago.

We often hear from fishers, at least fishers on the ground, that they are not consulted, that there is no predictability and that they saw nothing coming. The offshore fishers, on the other hand, seem to have seen it coming, so much so that they have invested millions of dollars.

In this context, I would like to know if there is a genuine desire to go back to the fishers and consider their expertise more closely. They have acquired important knowledge, but they don't feel heard. I'm not making this up; they're telling me this.

What do you have to say to them about that?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

First of all, I can tell you that I meet with fishers on a regular basis. They're in my region, after all.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

I know. It's your riding.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I meet with them throughout the region. I also meet very regularly with associations, both in person—

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

I understand.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

As far as fishers are concerned, I can tell you that I have no problem wandering around the wharves in my region.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

I'm glad to hear that.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I also feel completely safe everywhere.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

This is not about safety at all.

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

We are really working with the fishers. The adaptation process is obviously not easy.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Have you seen the dry-dock shrimpers?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Yes, I have. I made announcements in Rivière-au-Renard. That's in my riding.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

How does that make you feel?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

A boat is more beautiful on the water.

[Caroline Desbiens, Bloc, Beauport—Côte-de-Beaupré—Île d’Orléans—Charlevoix, QC]

Did the redfish fishery open too late? Has that hurt the resource?

[Diane Lebouthillier, Liberal, Gaspésie—Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I made a quick decision when I arrived. We will continue to work and adapt.

As the member for the riding, I can tell you that, for a number of years, shrimp fishers worked hard to keep the same quotas. That's why I made the decision to drastically reduce the total catch. Outreach work remains to be done. Will it be easy over the next few years? I don't know. One thing is certain, we will have to adapt a lot, as the gulf is warming.