Thank you, Chair.
I appreciate the motion that's been brought forward. The government here has made a pretty clear commitment to transition away from open-net salmon aquaculture in British Columbia. I think it is important to be able to practise what you preach and to take leadership in that regard.
Having said that, there is an inaccuracy in this motion. It says that the government has committed to transition away from open-net salmon farms. That's true, but it's only in British Columbia.
Were this motion to be amended to say that the government has committed to transition away from open-net salmon farms in British Columbia and then at the end, to call “for the House of Commons administration to end the practice of purchasing farmed salmon from open net pen salmon farms in British Columbia”, then I would support this one.
I think it would address some of the issues that other members have brought up about a different framework being in place for Atlantic Canada. I would certainly support that.
Accordingly, I would put forward an amendment to make those changes. Then we might, hopefully, be able to find some agreement around this table.