Fisheries Committee on Feb. 2nd, 2026

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

—that collects the egg data and the larvae data.

Which type of data did the fishing industry provide to you that you're now analyzing?

[Todd Williams]

I don't know, to be honest with you. I have not seen it submitted. I'm looking forward to the conversation.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

Have they submitted any, in fact? The minister confirmed to us today that her department is analyzing data that was supplied by the fishing industry. I'm just wondering what kind of data that was.

[Todd Williams]

Again, that could have been in reference to the data they supply—

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

Could it be possible that the fishing industry didn't supply any data and that the minister may have spoken out of turn on that?

[Todd Williams]

Again, I'm looking forward to hearing the views of stakeholders in three weeks. I also know that the minister is party to any number of conversations that she has with stakeholders, and they do provide her and her office with information that we don't have.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

Based on my conversations with fishing industry stakeholders, they haven't supplied any real scientific data because they haven't collected any data, and they weren't asked to collect data other than samples that they were commissioned to collect on your behalf, which is your data, not theirs.

Do you think it's fair to come before this committee and tell elected representatives of coastal communities that data supplied by harvesters—science that was commissioned by their fishing industry representatives—was being analyzed when there was no such work done?

[Todd Williams]

I'm here to provide my best advice from the information we receive. We're looking forward to hearing more from industry and stakeholders. They are very much part of the science we do, and it is a collaborative effort. The science and samples they provide are an important—

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

But those samples are your science.

[Todd Williams]

That's in collaboration with industry.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

Okay. Thank you.

We've come here today to spend two hours of this precious committee's time to analyze the decision to privatize this Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation. It's very disconcerting to come here and see the minister so unprepared. How could that happen? How could she come here so unprepared and not even mention the purpose of this meeting? Not one syllable of her opening remarks was committed to the sole purpose of this meeting. How could that be?

Anyone? Deputy?

[Kaili Levesque]

We engage regularly with the minister to provide status updates on the divestiture process of the FFMC. I'm happy to get into further details with the committee about both the policy objectives and the engagements that led to where we are in the process.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Mr. Small.

Next we're going to Mr. Morrissey for five minutes.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Before I begin my questions, I just want to give notice that I will be moving a motion covering the matter on mackerel from the fishers. I'll provide it to you today. It speaks to a lot of the questions the member was referring to when it comes to fisher input versus the science of the department. I will provide it to you in writing before the meeting is over.

I want to go back to the freshwater corporation.

To the financial officials, with the divestiture process you're following here, how long has the department been divesting of various assets? Has it been forever?

[Kaili Levesque]

As it is a self-sustaining Crown corporation, the FFMC has been managing and purchasing its assets since 1969, when it was created, but the department has played a role in the oversight there. We are responsible. Obviously, the minister has a responsibility, and the ministry does an annual corporate plan.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

This is a public process. There was notice given, and this came as a result of consultation from the fishers involved and the provinces, who were all, in your earlier answers, endorsing the steps taken by the department to divest of this corporation. With the divestiture of assets, some would lead us to believe that there's some hidden agenda here. How often does the department divest of assets?

[Kaili Levesque]

We have a process we follow for, let's say, the average garden variety of asset we would divest. For a vehicle that is no longer in use or something, we have a very clear—

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Has that been consistent over the last 10, 20 or 30 years?

[Kaili Levesque]

Indeed.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Then you're following the same process that's been endorsed by successive governments.

[Kaili Levesque]

This process, in fact, has been set up with more rigour because of the independence here, and to protect not only the Crown corporation but also the bidder.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Let's be clear. This process for divesting has been long established within the ministry. It's to ensure that the taxpayer is protected and that there's a fair process and due diligence. Let's clearly establish that particular part.

Madam Deputy Minister, I want to come back to a question—because there are enforcement and protection personnel with you today—that goes back to when this committee was doing an earlier study. We were hearing from the director of public prosecutions. I was questioning her specifically and candidly. She did not answer me. She avoided the question I was putting to her, and it disturbed me.

It was related to—and I was very specific—egg-bearing female lobster, which is the basis of the east coast lobster fishery: Would it be illegal if somebody harvested that lobster, whether in commercial, ceremonial or moderate livelihood fisheries?

Could you give this committee the department's perspective? I would hope it would be that the possession of a lobster as I described would be viewed as illegal and that the department would prosecute or insist on prosecuting accordingly.

[Doug Wentzell, Regional Director General, Maritimes Region, Department of Fisheries and Oceans]

I think this was referenced in the discussion earlier today at committee. Fishery officers uphold the conditions of licence and the regulation. If anything is prohibited or not authorized by the conditions of licence, fishery officers will absolutely proceed.

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

[Inaudible—Editor] female lobsters in the condition of any licence?

[Doug Wentzell]

Absolutely.