Evidence of meeting #106 for International Trade in the 44th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was whales.
A video is available from Parliament.
Conservative
Kyle Seeback Conservative Dufferin—Caledon, ON
There are three votes in a row. We can't come back to our work. We have to do the votes.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
We will stop in two minutes to vote, and we will resume following the third vote.
I'm sorry, Mr. Miao.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
It's not a problem. Let me start the question again.
To ensure quality control for our seafood exports, Canada relies on the CFIA's labelling and regulations. How does the CFIA's regulatory framework compare with those of our American and European counterparts in this case?
Director, Trade and Market Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
To support our sector in terms of their exports around the world, we do work closely with the CFIA, but I cannot speak to their regulations. That's probably best directed to the CFIA.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
Can you share with us what the difference is in the regulatory frameworks between Canada and other countries?
Director, Trade and Market Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
This is from a CFIA perspective about their regulations. I would suggest that be redirected to the CFIA. I'm not familiar with those regulations. Those are not for DFO.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
Okay. I will move on to the next question.
The seafood industry is valued at over $4 billion in Atlantic Canada right now. The industry is vital to the economies of coastal and indigenous communities, but the processing of seafood is regulated by the province. Are there variations in regulation between the Atlantic provinces when it comes to seafood processing?
Director, Trade and Market Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
That is something that would not be within the purview of our team. We work on trade and market policy issues, but if there's interest, we can respond to any questions and follow up.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
If you could, please share some insights on how much seafood is being traded right now between Canada and the Americans and also the European countries.
Director, Trade and Market Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
In terms of trade statistics, that information is something we do have, and that is also publicly available.
The U.S. remains our biggest market. For example, to give you a figure, in 2023 the total exports to the U.S. were about $4.9 billion. Exports to the European Union in 2023 were $421 million. Total seafood exports from Canada in 2023 were $7.6 billion.
Liberal
Wilson Miao Liberal Richmond Centre, BC
If there's more data that you can share, share it with the committee, please.
Let's get into how we are protecting our seafood sector right now. What things can Canada do to ensure that our waters are able to literally support marine life so that we don't see any loss of the ecosystem due to climate change or other effects on the important aquatic species?
Director, Trade and Market Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
That is not something our team is directly implicated in in terms of exports. Our focus is really helping the sector when it is selling its products to other countries or other markets.
If there's a general question about climate change, for example, or ocean science or marine protection, that will be for other parts of DFO. We could respond in a follow-up answer if there's interest.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
I'm sorry, Mr. Miao. Your time is up at this point.
We'll go to Monsieur Savard-Tremblay, please.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
Thank you, Madam Chair.
I want to thank all the witnesses.
My question is for the department officials. First, I'll give you some background.
Last November, we learned that the United States would wait until late 2025 to assess the practices of its trading partners before deciding whether the marine mammal protection measures are sufficient, meaning whether they meet the American standards.
The United States is currently banning the import of seafood products whose fishing could cause accidental death or serious injury to marine mammals, such as the endangered right whale found in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This fishing zone is used by Quebec and Maritime fishers. We know that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the American equivalent of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, could simply decide to deny Quebec and Canada access to the American market as of January 1, 2026, if it finds the Canadian measures insufficient. There may be a trade dispute.
You provided some statistics on exports. Can you give us some statistics on the number of jobs in this field in Canada? How many fishers do we have here?
Director, Trade and Market Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It's about data on fishing jobs. We can check within DFO whether we have that data available.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
So you don't know the number of fishers in Quebec and Canada at this time.
Director, Trade and Market Policy, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I don't have the data in front of me right now. We can ask the economic shop within DFO whether it has that information.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
This would be useful. If we sense a looming trade war with the Americans, which could escalate, we should at least know how many jobs are at risk. This doesn't reassure me. I don't get the impression that Canada is preparing properly.
Are there any discussions with the Americans on this topic?
Acting Director General, Fisheries Resource Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
It's important to note that we have very good relations with the U.S. government, both at the working level and at more senior levels, regarding the implementation and compliance under their Marine Mammal Protection Act. Certainly, we have received no indication to date that we are not in compliance with the provisions of their legislation, and DFO is doing everything in its power to ensure that the United States has all of the information it needs to make those determinations.
We can certainly follow up on the statistics. It is sometimes challenging even to classify those numbers exactly in terms of who is dependent on the fishery and who is a licence-holder, and then more broadly in the processing sector, but we have that information and we can follow up in writing with the committee.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
I want to believe that discussions are taking place and that relations are good. However, in many cases, such as the softwood lumber dispute, the news and courts have proven us right. A trade war could still happen, and protectionist measures could be introduced fairly soon. January 1, 2026 is just around the corner. We can already see it coming. I want to make sure that we're well prepared for it.
Aside from discussions and information sharing, what's happening right now? What steps are being taken?
Acting Director General, Fisheries Resource Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
We are in regular contact with our counterparts, again, at a variety of levels within the United States. We know, from conversations with other countries, that we're receiving the same information they are in terms of the U.S. government's ongoing work to implement the MMPA.
I can't speak to the broader trade issues the honourable member mentioned, but certainly, on this particular file, I can say the relationship is very good.
Bloc
Simon-Pierre Savard-Tremblay Bloc Saint-Hyacinthe—Bagot, QC
We also know that lobster fishers use some seal parts as bait. Is that right? Could you tell us about the American policies in this area?
Acting Director General, Fisheries Resource Management, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
I'd like to provide a few points for context. One, DFO does not regulate bait and what's used as bait. That is really a decision by fish harvesters. Two, there was a company, and perhaps others, who were exploring the use of seal and seal parts as bait, and it was seeing some success in regard to that.
DFO was asked whether or not those who fished using seal as bait would be in compliance with the Marine Mammal Protection Act. We asked the United States government, and, unfortunately, they informed us that those harvesters who fished using seal as bait would not be in compliance with the MMPA and would further risk, more broadly, all exports of that species to the United States.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Judy Sgro
Okay.
Mr. Cannings, would you like one minute to get a question in for any of these witnesses?