Mr. Speaker, the Conservative Party British Columbia caucus is demanding that the government restore funding to B.C. and Yukon salmon enhancement programs which include our west coast hatcheries.
The minister denies that the DFO program is being downsized and insists that any changes are a result of independent actions and not at his direction. This shows neither leadership nor ministerial responsibility.
The reality is that several million dollars are being cut from the $25 million salmon enhancement program. Rural coastal communities are crying foul. DFO is in local damage control but cuts are proceeding. The minister has received letters of protest from individuals, businesses, organizations and municipalities.
This has changed nothing. All that is required to fix this is an unequivocal statement from the minister. When will he do that?