Mr. Chair, it is critical that we have the appropriate stakeholders at the table so that their views are taken into account when making fisheries and oceans management decisions. DFO regularly consults advisory councils, committees and boards on issues of fisheries management.
There are also ad hoc mechanisms in place, such as bilateral and multilateral discussions with stakeholders, groups, advisory panels, focus groups and steering committees. We regularly consult aboriginal communities, fish harvesting and processing industries, non-governmental groups and academia. We have a long list that includes fisheries unions and associations, the marine, commerce and transportation sectors, the oil and gas sector and the pulp and paper industries.
I look forward to working with all of our partners to continue building strong, sustainable fisheries for the future.