Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Good morning.
I'm pleased to be here on the traditional unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinabe nation.
I'm happy to be joined by the deputy minister, Annette Gibbons; the commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard, Mario Pelletier; and the chief financial officer and assistant deputy minister, Richard Goodyear.
I'm appearing before the committee today to present the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2022‑23, on behalf of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard.
I will start by providing an overview of some key items and then provide more detail, where possible. Following that, I'd be happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Mr. Chair, in the supplementary estimates (C), I'm seeking $104.2 million for a number of important items. This sum includes $52.2 million for increased marine and aviation fuel costs for the Canadian Coast Guard, $22.6 million for a litigation settlement and $9.7 million from the $100 million committed to the small craft harbours program and the ghost gear fund. This sum is for cleaning up and recovering lost and abandoned fishing gear and for recovery efforts for essential harbours affected by hurricane Fiona.
Canadians have faced a particularly challenging year. The cost of running Canadian Coast Guard ships and helicopters has increased due to the international pressures of inflation and increased fuel costs. This isn't something we can predict, nor is it an expense we can afford to cut corners on. Mariners, coastal and indigenous communities, and all Canadians rely on the Canadian Coast Guard to help keep them and their waters safe and clean.
Last year, hurricane Fiona was one of the most devastating storms ever to hit Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec, thus further demonstrating the impacts of climate change on coastal communities. That's the new reality we must adapt to.
Hurricane Fiona damaged over 130 small craft harbours, splintering infrastructure and scattering fishing gear throughout local waters. Last October I visited Covehead Harbour in P.E.I. and saw some of this damage first-hand. I heard directly from fish harvesters and those who live in coastal communities about the impact of Fiona on their livelihoods. I saw the destroyed oyster and mussel infrastructure. It's incumbent upon our government to help clean up this overwhelming damage.
Mr. Chair, we were also required this year to settle a lawsuit related to past decisions in the amount of $22.6 million. There is a non-disclosure clause in the settlement agreement, so I won't be able to provide more information on it.
Mr. Chair, the funding I'm seeking through the supplementary estimates (C) is essential to continue our work of protecting Canada's mariners and our marine environment. As well, it will ensure that my department can fulfill its mandate for all Canadians.
Thank you.