Fisheries Committee on Feb. 8th, 2022

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Okay, thank you.

Mr. Chair, before we run out of time, I would like to put forward a motion here. I apologize to others who may have questions. We may be able to get through this fairly quickly.

We're obviously seeing and hearing that there are other organizations that would have input into this particular study. I believe all members have received a request from another organization wishing to provide testimony. To only hear from the department and not from other affected bodies, I don't think would be fulsome study. I would table the following motion:

That the committee add one meeting to its current examination of the risks of flood control/mitigation systems in British Columbia, particularly along the lower Fraser River, posed to wild salmon runs; and That in this additional meeting the committee receive testimony from witnesses with knowledge of risks of flood control systems and mitigating impacts of such systems on wild salmon runs.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Arnold.

I think you did say that it was being sent to the clerk to distribute.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

I believe it is, yes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

I just got a nod that she has it sent to members.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

I see a nod from the clerk that she's received it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Yes and a thumbs up that she has it sent, I think, to the other members.

It looks like everybody has received it. I'm not hearing anybody say no, they haven't. I presume everybody in the room has received it as well.

Is there any discussion to Mr. Arnold's additional motion?

Mr. Hardie.

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

I would like to offer a friendly amendment to Mr. Arnold's motion, simply adding to it the following: “and that the chair issue a letter to the minister outlining the key issues requiring her oversight.”

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

We've all heard the amendment. Is there any discussion on the amendment?

Tina, can we do a recorded vote on the amendment, please?

(Amendment agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you for that. I guess it was a friendly amendment. Everybody voted in favour of it.

Now we go back to the motion as amended. Is there any discussion?

Mr. Cormier.

[Serge Cormier, Liberal, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

I'd just like a clarification from Mr. Arnold.

Are you just talking about one more meeting? I want to make sure of that, because if we keep adding meetings and we're pushing everything back, I'm sure that Ms. Desbiens will not like to see her study going far down the line, and Ms. Barron also. Is it just one more meeting you're asking for?

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

That's correct—just one more meeting.

[Serge Cormier, Liberal, Acadie—Bathurst, NB]

Okay, thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Is there any other discussion on the motion as amended?

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Mr. Chair, I've told the clerk three times that I'd like to speak to this, so I don't know if she hasn't heard me.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

I don't think she has.

Mr. Zimmer.

[Bob Zimmer, Conservative, Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies, BC]

Yes, thank you. I just wanted to say I appreciate the witnesses today from the department, but I think they couldn't answer many of our questions specifically. Also, I'd like to hear from some of those who were actually on the water to help explain what the picture looks like, what's necessary down there as well, and maybe hear from some local officials about what could be done there. I think a first-hand account would be appreciated by this committee.

Thank you. I support the motion.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Zimmer.

Now we'll go to our clerk, Tina.

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Tina Miller]

Mr. Chair, Ms. Barron also wishes to speak.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Ms. Barron.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Thank you, Chair. I was trying to figure out how to get your attention in this hybrid model here.

I wanted to speak in favour of this motion. As much as I appreciate the insights and information that have been provided by those here today, there are some very valuable and key stakeholders who are not at the table, such as first nation representatives, as well as the Watershed Watch Salmon Society and many who are very invested. Although I recognize that we don't have endless time and we have many other studies to get to, having one additional meeting would provide us with a much-needed opportunity to hear from others who are experts in this field.

I would like to thank the member for bring forward this motion and I am in favour of it.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Ms. Barron.

[The Clerk]

Mr. Small wishes to speak, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Go ahead, Mr. Small.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, NL]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'd like to speak in favour of this motion. One day in front of this committee for a study is not quite enough considering the enormous impact that these floods have had on salmon year classes that are coming up in the next three or four years. I just want to say I support an additional meeting.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ken McDonald]

Thank you, Mr. Small.

Does anyone else in the room want to speak or can we go to a recorded vote?

(Motion as amended agreed to: yeas 11; nays 0)

The motion is passed unanimously.

Your time has expired, Mr. Arnold. There's no doubt it was a good motion because everybody seemed to be in favour of it.

We'll go on now to Mr. Morrissey for five minutes or less, please.