Evidence of meeting #43 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 45th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was rivers.
A video is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
That's perfect. Thank you.
Coming back to the biodiversity facility that you have touched on, we want to hear from both sides. When I look at the decision that the government made about closing the biodiversity facility, one of the reasons the DFO gave was that, despite over 25 years of investment in the facility, salmon returns remained very low.
What do you think of that observation or the reason DFO gave?
Chief, Billijk (Kingsclear First Nation)
I think they're highlighting and trying to draw the justification of the closure. However, the biodiversity facility was designed to.... It's now a mitigation effort. It's specific to us now, because it's preserving and protecting that specific genome and that specific species. That's why it's important to us, especially as Wolastoqiyik: These are species that have sustained our people for generations across time and space. They are a part of who we are. They're our relatives.
About 70% of our language is verb-based. We don't separate ourselves or objectify, so they're our kin. They're our relatives. To us, as Wolastoqiyik, the salmon is a cultural keystone. It's on the crest of the New Brunswick flag. This is affecting our communities, not just across Wolastoqiyik but also our communities in New Brunswick and other communities in the region.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
On average, how many salmon are returning each year? Do you know the number?
General Labourer, Billijk (Kingsclear First Nation)
Last year, we had 17 adult wild salmon return, but 379 wild smolts returned to the hatchery.
General Labourer, Billijk (Kingsclear First Nation)
It's for last year. That's correct.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
The year before that, were the numbers almost the same, on average?
General Labourer, Billijk (Kingsclear First Nation)
They were almost the same. They were maybe a little lower.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
You said that you have had some meetings recently about the future of the facility and about what's going to happen next. In terms of the new investment that the government just put forward, the $81 million along with some more money that will be put in for some groups, is there something in there that will maybe help offset this closure for your community? Is there something that you touched on with the minister?
Chief, Billijk (Kingsclear First Nation)
Across multiple communities and across different areas where that money was distributed, we believe we do need an extended timeline for the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility. To mitigate the measures, our request with the government is to extend the timeline in consideration of the funds that are to come. Our hope is that we can come up with a tangible, concrete and strategic plan to utilize these funds and keep this biodiversity facility open.
Liberal
Serge Cormier Liberal Acadie—Bathurst, NB
Regarding the return, as I was saying, DFO has said that there's a low return for the amount they're putting into this facility each year. Even if there is a low return, the return of one salmon is better than the return of zero salmon. How can we increase the return, in your opinion? You named some factors. The decline is happening because of some of those factors. What would be the solution on your end to have a bit more of a return?
Chief, Billijk (Kingsclear First Nation)
There's currently an upward trend. This has been in the last few years.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
That's it. Thank you.
I will now go to Monsieur Deschênes for two and a half minutes.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Thank you very much, Madam Chair.
I'll continue with my questions for the Fédération québécoise pour le saumon atlantique.
The strategy that was announced still includes an opportunity: $82 million has been allocated. However, what they're telling us is that we won't be able to act everywhere and that we will have to focus our efforts. How do you see things? Where should efforts be focused to save salmon?
Executive Director, Fédération québécoise pour le saumon atlantique
First, it's important to target places where there are already organizations and people rallying around Atlantic salmon and salmon rivers. Of course, this is being done for the sake of the salmon, but it's being done by people and for people.
You know, 95% of salmon return to their natal rivers to reproduce. That's why, with a river-by-river approach, it's possible to address the root causes of a declining salmon population and restore it. Second, it's also important to fund the organizations that set up networking so that these organizations—which are the experts on their rivers—whether they're first nations or community and grassroots organizations, can establish a local network among themselves. That way, everyone can work on the common denominators at the same time.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
Do you think the government is doing enough to support you?
Executive Director, Fédération québécoise pour le saumon atlantique
No. More can be done. I think governments have a responsibility when it comes to the sustainability of Atlantic salmon. It's about our natural heritage and the health of our ecosystems. We have a collective and social responsibility for our children and for the future. I think the effort that the federal government needs to make for Atlantic salmon can be increased not only through funding, but also through human efforts and a genuine willingness to set ambitious goals.
Bloc
Alexis Deschênes Bloc Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Listuguj, QC
If you were the Minister of Fisheries, you would propose habitat restoration as well as studies on migration at sea and measures on predation.
Executive Director, Fédération québécoise pour le saumon atlantique
Yes, absolutely. There needs to be a structure that's agile enough to use local knowledge to support local priorities, based on the specific characteristics of each river. However, as I said, there are still some shared general themes across the provinces and all of eastern Canada. When it comes to certain key themes—whether it's predation, climate change, forestry impacts or land use in watersheds—it's important to make sure to build networks and develop skills at the local level based on the best possible science.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Hedy Fry
Thank you very much.
I will go now to Mr. Arnold for the Conservatives.
Mel, you have five minutes, please.
Conservative
Mel Arnold Conservative Kamloops—Shuswap—Central Rockies, BC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I thank all the witnesses for being here. Salmon are very important on all coasts.
Chief, you mentioned that you had a positive meeting with Minister Thompson. Did she provide any concrete commitments or actions that could save the Mactaquac Biodiversity Facility?
Chief, Billijk (Kingsclear First Nation)
The conversation we had was very helpful and productive. I believe we're waiting for a response in the interim before the closure.