Fisheries Committee on June 3rd, 2026

[Luke Gaulton]

I can clarify that, for the meeting summaries that were included, my understanding is that they are summaries of meetings where aquatic ecosystems within DFO was talking to science within DFO, and they determined that this report would be an appropriate thing to do.

I'm the director responsible for the people from aquatic ecosystems. I was aware that those discussions were taking place. I was aware that the decision was made to produce the report. The meeting summaries have been included for those discussions that took place.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you.

Ms. Kronis.

[Tamara Kronis, Conservative, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

While we were on break, there was a document that my colleague and I looked up online that was on the regulator's website. It was not included in this package.

When I look at the document here—the request for advice that was included—it's very clear that the terms of reference for this say, “there is need for science advice to inform anticipated project-specific Impact Assessments, as well as science advice to inform more general knowledge gaps regarding potential impacts”. The questions I was asking around what kind of expertise DFO had is relevant to that if that is the assignment.

I would like to continue with this meeting. I would like the documents that we didn't get. I would also like, at a minimum, to continue with this meeting and get a chance to ask my questions.

[Chris d'Entremont, Liberal, Acadie—Annapolis, NS]

I have a point of order, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, Mr. d'Entremont.

[Chris d'Entremont, Liberal, Acadie—Annapolis, NS]

This is from the regulator, from what we understand, not from DFO. The motion is for the DFO report, not the regulator's.

If we want the regulator to come, someone has to go back and come up with a motion. Write the motion, and maybe we'll look at it on some other date.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Absolutely.

I just want to finish with my list. I have Mr. Arnold and then I have Mr. Cormier.

Mr. Arnold.

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

Thank you.

This pertains to the point of order that was raised against Ms. Kronis asking questions about wind farms. I'm seeing a CSAS review panel request. I want to read part of it. It says:

The development of an offshore wind industry in Atlantic Canada is likely to impact marine ecosystems and species in new ways that have not been investigated in a Canadian context. Consequently, there is need for science advice to inform anticipated project-specific Impact Assessments....

Wind farms were specifically in the request that was provided to us, so Ms. Kronis's questions regarding the expertise of the department in wind farms is very much relevant, contrary to what the Liberal members were trying to propose.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Cormier.

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

Madam Chair, we just heard two officials say that all documents were provided. What started that, for the public watching at home, is that we, the Liberals, didn't have any more questions.

We were giving the opportunity to the Conservatives and the Bloc to ask the questions they wanted to ask. It was just us who did not have questions. They would have had two more rounds of questions if we had gone with the rounds that we usually do at this committee in the second and first hours.

There was no intention for us to not let them ask questions. It was just that we didn't have questions. They can go on and ask questions, but we've spent 15 minutes searching for documents that don't exist. Everything was provided to the committee. Can we just go on, please?

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Yes, Mr. Cormier.

Whether there were on different websites different things, the request, if you read the document, asks for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to provide the committee with certain documents. The department has told us that they've provided us with all the documents they have. Regardless of whether other people on other websites had documents, we did not ask for those. We asked the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to provide the documents they had. They told us they did. As far as I am concerned, that question is already put to rest.

We have Mr. Arnold.

Mr. Deschênes had his round in this round. The Liberals said no.

Perhaps, Mr. Arnold, you can ask your question.

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

Thank you. I have two questions, and then I'll pass my time to Mr. Small so he can add it to the time that he should have.

Mr. Vigneault, what data gaps did you identify when compiling this report?

[Bernard Vigneault]

The report wasn't specifically looking at data gaps. It was just sharing the information we have. The inputs we provided on the data gaps are on the regional assessment—

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

I understand that, but what data gaps did you identify?

[Bernard Vigneault]

The data gaps that we identified are being addressed. That was the prioritization of the additional data collection that we're doing: information on the fish stocks and the use of the areas I described earlier, like by some of the migratory species. We will be collecting additional information on that and additional information on the species at risk, in particular marine mammals, including the North Atlantic right whale, and will do additional work on that—

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

I'd like to move a motion asking that the data gaps Mr. Vigneault just referred to be provided to this committee so we can fully understand what might be at stake here and the good work the department may be doing in this process. As part of that, please provide in writing how the data gaps were identified.

[Bernard Vigneault]

We can provide the gaps that have been identified and the ongoing science to address them.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Thank you, Mr. Vigneault.

Have you finished, Mel?

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

I'll pass my remaining time to Mr. Small, to add to his five minutes.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Mr. Small, you have two minutes and 30 seconds. Go ahead.

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I think right whales were mentioned 18 times in the documents we have.

Mr. Vigneault—

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

There's no interpretation, Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Hedy Fry]

Excuse me.

Can we try it again?

[Clifford Small, Conservative, Central Newfoundland, NL]

I think right whales were mentioned 18 times in the documents we have.

Mr. Vigneault, do you think the issue of right whales is adequately addressed in this report given the conservation measures that fishermen throughout Atlantic Canada have undergone?

[Bobby Morrissey, Liberal, Egmont, PE]

Chair, I have a point of order.