Fisheries Committee on March 23rd, 2026

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

Thank you very much.

Also, because my colleague, Mr. Small, touched on the Atlantic salmon strategy a little bit, in case he doesn't remember, I have a motion on notice regarding an important study that we need to do on Atlantic salmon, and I hope he will support it.

Perhaps you could talk a little bit about the stage the strategy on Atlantic salmon is at right now, because it's urgent, as you know. Where are you on this?

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

We're at time. Could we have a quick answer?

[Niall O'Dea]

Absolutely.

We continue to invest actively in support of Atlantic salmon, including most recently a $1-million investment made within the past year on additional research and collaboration with partners. We look forward to bringing forward more activities in the coming months.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Mr. Cormier.

Colleagues, I'm looking at the time. We'll have an abridged last round. We'll do three and a half, three and a half and then two and a half to wrap it up. Then we'll vote on the estimates.

With that, I will hand the floor over to Mr. Arnold for three and a half minutes.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'll turn to Ms. Garrah again for this one.

DFO appears to be cutting components that are key to the recovery of wild salmon on the west coast—the genomics lab in Nanaimo, the salmon enhancement program and, certainly not least, habitat restoration. Some cuts will mean that habitat staff who are managing an area that is twice the size of Vancouver Island will be managing that area from 500 kilometres away. It's an area that produces some of the largest and strongest salmon, ones your department has identified as key to the recovery of southern resident killer whales.

Can you explain how it can be cost-effective to move habitat management staff 500 kilometres away from their work?

[Joanne Garrah]

I can respond to some of that. Some of it, my colleagues may be able to respond to.

I'm not sure of the specific example you're referring to and the data you're referring to there. I can just reassure the chair and members that we continue to make investments in Pacific salmon, both in science and other parts of the department. It remains a critical business line for us in terms of—

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

No. You're moving habitat management staff over 500 kilometres away from an area that's twice the size of Vancouver Island. The question was, and it's very clear, how can moving them 500 kilometres away be cost-effective when they would have to travel to do their work?

[Joanne Garrah]

As I said, colleagues may have additional information. I don't have any specific information to provide on that example, but I would be happy to follow up.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC]

Can you provide the answers in writing, please?

Mr. Gunn has asked that I turn some time over to him in this round as well.

[Aaron Gunn, Conservative, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Yes. I have a quick follow-up question.

Earlier this year, the Canadian government acceded to American demands and threats and agreed to significantly reduce our shared halibut catch by 7.2%. Americans reduced theirs by approximately zero. Who in government was responsible for agreeing to this capitulation? How does it line up with the government's overall elbows-up approach to trade negotiations with the United States?

[Mark Waddell]

Certainly, the decision factored into the broader relationship we hold with the United States. It was one of multiple variables that will continue to influence—

[Aaron Gunn, Conservative, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Do you know who was responsible for it?

[Mark Waddell]

At the end of the day, the decisions are taken by the officials on the floor, on the ground, of whom I was one. We ultimately report back to the minister and seek approval for the decision.

[Aaron Gunn, Conservative, North Island—Powell River, BC]

Was the fisheries minister okay with the decision? Did they support the decision, or did they direct the decision?

[Mark Waddell]

In the context of the broader information and the decisions made at the time, it was the best decision at the time.

[Niall O'Dea]

It should be understood as well that we have industry members who participate with us in the consultation and in those negotiations. They are attuned to the dynamics at play at those tables and play a part in the decisions that are all—

[Aaron Gunn, Conservative, North Island—Powell River, BC]

I'm wondering about the decision-making. Who is ultimately responsible? Who makes the decision?

[Niall O'Dea]

The minister sets the mandate, and officials execute the mandate to the best of their ability.

[The Chair, Liberal, Patrick Weiler]

Thank you very much, Mr. Gunn.

Mr. Klassen, you have three and a half minutes.

[Ernie Klassen, Liberal, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Thanks to all the witnesses here today.

In B.C. I'm hearing a lot of talk about dredging in some of the harbours where harvesting is taking place. Regarding the small craft harbours funding the minister alluded to, I wonder if someone can expand on whether this would include dredging of some of these areas.

[Niall O'Dea]

Thank you for the question.

The small craft harbours program includes a diverse array of activities, including, obviously, the building and repair of the direct small craft harbour infrastructure and the disposition of assets that are no longer required, as well as dredging activities. These activities take place across the country in order to facilitate the safe passage of fishing vessels.

Was there anything you wanted to add, Mark?

[Ernie Klassen, Liberal, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Sorry, I thought you were raising your hand, but you were taking your glasses off.

[Mark Waddell]

No, I have nothing to add.

[Ernie Klassen, Liberal, South Surrey—White Rock, BC]

Mr. Lambertucci, in B.C. there's quite a bit of news media right now about southern resident killer whales and keeping the distance from any boats or anything coming closer to them. I'm wondering if you can tell us how you intend to monitor this.

[Peter Lambertucci]

That's done through accommodation of our aerial and on-water surveillance activities. We work very closely with our departmental colleagues when we know that the resident whale population is near. We are on water quite frequently when those issues are taking place.