Thank you. If there are any challenges, you can stop me again.
Good morning.
Before I begin, I want to say what an honour it is for me [Inaudible—Editor] this issue and have the chance to lead a department [Technical difficulty—Editor] country.
Do you want me to start from the beginning again? Okay.
Mr. Chair, as you know, our new government is on a clear path to transform the economy and strengthen prosperity.
I was proud to join the Prime Minister in St. John's last month for the announcement of the regional tariff response initiative, which will help businesses throughout Atlantic Canada, including the seafood sector, deal with the impacts of tariffs. We have so many innovative seafood companies in Canada that ship our sustainable seafood to more than 100 countries. The amount of $7.6 billion is how much our companies exported to the world last year. In these challenging times, the Government of Canada will be there to help establish new markets, strengthen ties with existing one, and create new and innovative products.
I have been across the country this summer listening to harvesters, workers, community members and stakeholders from across this sector. These meetings were focused on the pressing issues facing Canadian fisheries and coastal communities. These meetings have also helped to inform my own priorities. I'd like to highlight some of them this morning.
Let's begin with economic prosperity. As minister, I am committed to driving economic growth in coastal, rural and indigenous communities. I want to make sure that the benefits of fisheries go to the people who do the fishing and to the people in their communities. By collaborating with provinces, territories, indigenous partners, industry and stakeholders, we can grow fishing economies in ways that are economically, environmentally and socially sustainable.
In June I announced an increase to the total allowable catch, TAC, for northern cod in Newfoundland and Labrador based on input from partners and the latest scientific data. As a Newfoundlander, this was an especially proud moment for me. My sincere hope is that with a renewed and vibrant cod fishery, young people will return to seeing fish harvesting as more than just a recreational activity but as a sustainable and fulfilling career. Additionally, I increased the TAC for herring in southwest Nova Scotia after receiving additional scientific data, allowing for more prosperity in that region.
This is good news for coastal communities. These decisions take a responsible path—backed by science—increasing economic prosperity for harvesters, processors and coastal communities.
I also want to take a moment to place some emphasis on our government's commitment to the owner-operator model. Owner-operator is not just a way of doing business; it is a way of life. Ensuring that owner-operator is sustained at status quo is not enough. We must, and will, do more to close the loopholes that are being abused and further strengthen the owner-operator regulations on the east coast. On the west coast, the government remains firmly committed to modernizing the fishery and conducting thorough and thoughtful consultations with industry and indigenous communities. Furthermore, our government is committed to building a unified and strong Canadian economy by leveraging our natural and human resources, including three oceans and one-fifth of the world's fresh water.
Canada's greatest strength remains its people—highly skilled, educated, innovative and diverse. By creating the right opportunities and by removing burdensome red tape, we can help boost the Canadian economy during difficult periods of tariffs and trade tensions. To that end, I will work with my cabinet colleagues to advance major infrastructure projects quickly, safely and responsibly through the Major Projects Office. I'll also advocate for policies that support safe shipping corridors and maintain strong environmental protections as we grow the economy.
I will also say that DFO has heard loud and clear that people want us to enforce the Fisheries Act to ensure that we are holding everyone accountable and to ensure that when someone is fishing against the rules, there are consequences. Progress has been made, but there's more work to do. My priority is to ensure that our fisheries officers have clear rules and licence conditions to enforce and that they have the tools necessary to do this.
I realize that I'm running out of time. I'd be happy to talk in more depth as we move through the next hour.
Please know that these are not just goals. They are paths to a stronger, more prosperous Canada. I look forward to working with all of you to that end.
Thank you.
