Fisheries Committee on Feb. 2nd, 2026

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Then you are also pushing for the fisheries fund to be replenished. That's my understanding.

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

I actively advocate for all things that I hear from harvesters, the industry and all participants in the fishery. It is important that I do that.

When I speak about consultation, I take that process seriously. I review what I hear. If we need to incorporate something into science processes—we just mentioned the mackerel fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador—we will do that. If it means that I advocate within government, then I will do that as well. I reiterate that I know clearly that this is very important.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Minister, at a time when the global context is so uncertain, when we need to make sure that our fisheries build capacity and when there has been a promise not only to replenish the fisheries fund but also to increase its funding by 20%, would you agree that it would be unacceptable and practically unforgivable not to do so?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

I hear and appreciate what you're saying, but I will go back to my opening point. There were many items in the budget that were incredibly important to your region. I know you spoke to me about them prior to the budget being released. I have to note that you voted against all of them.

I work on all of these items. They're all important and I advocate for every region in this country.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Minister, replenishing the fisheries fund was not in the budget, which is still a significant oversight.

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

Would you still have voted against the budget?

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

The budget was passed, and the investments we've had, particularly for Exploramer, are good public policy. I congratulate you and thank you for being sensitive to our concerns.

However, that doesn't change the fact that the fisheries fund is empty. Quebec is ready to commit. This is also time-sensitive, because if it is eventually unlocked, if you keep your promise and supply funds, you'll have to come to an agreement with Quebec. Don't you think we're wasting precious months?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

We still have funding until the end of March. If there's any change, I'll let you know.

[Alexis Deschênes, Bloc, Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you, Mr. Deschênes.

That completes the first round of questions.

We're going to start the second round with Mr. Small for five minutes.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

I'd like to thank the minister for appearing today.

Minister, there's been 10 years of Liberal mismanagement of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation. Quite a large number of harvesters depend on this corporation to purchase and process their fish, especially in Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Do you know what the percentage is, Minister?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

I'll turn to the deputy for the exact number.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

I think you should know that, Minister. This is a very important thing. You're depending on your budget to bring in a massive change to the fish harvesters of Saskatchewan and Manitoba especially.

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

I will turn to the deputy for the exact numbers, but I certainly will—

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

No, that's fine. We'll have the deputy in the second half.

How should the fish harvesters of the inland fisheries have any trust in what's going to happen to them? Do you remember what happened in Newfoundland and Labrador when FPI was similarly divested?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

As we've already stated, there were full consultations. We are in negotiations with bidders, so there is a need for confidentiality to protect all parties involved, but the intent is to modernize—

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

How many bidders were there?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

I'm not sure how much I'm allowed to say, to be quite honest.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

Well, if I know there were 11, how come you don't?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

It's not a question, Mr. Small, of knowing. It's what, in light of the confidentiality—

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

What's with the big secret here?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

There are processes in place to protect all bidders and to protect, under the Government of Canada, the divestiture process. I can share very high-level information with you at this point. You're certainly welcome to ask the deputy in the second half, but I'm not able to provide detailed information.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

Conservatives support the divesting of federal corporations and ending outdated federal monopolies, of course, but given the record of failure, the lack of transparency around buyers and transition plans, and the erosion of trust among fishers whose livelihoods are affected, why should anyone believe this divestiture will be handled competently?

[Joanne Thompson, Liberal, St. John's East, NL]

What I can share with you is that I was in many of the regions this summer. I met with harvesters, I visited the FFMC and met with the entire senior team. It was very helpful for me in understanding the need to modernize and the need to ensure that it's competitive. It is very important for so many of the harvesters in the area that they have an opportunity to bring their product to market.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

We've had quite a few of these harvesters come to us and express their mistrust, and it seems that the same lack of trust exists with this divestiture, or very close to it. It also exists in the setting up of marine protected areas, where your government is committed to shutting down 30% of our oceans to our fish harvesters by 2030.

Witnesses before this committee have warned that these decisions risk removing large portions of viable fishing grounds that directly impact their fishing livelihoods and the well-being of their families.

You were able to respond to an invitation by this committee on this particular topic here today, of which you mentioned zero in your opening remarks. Would you be able to commit to us today that you'll be able to give us a fast decision to appear at our ongoing study on marine protected areas in the next couple of weeks?