Debates of Nov. 24th, 2020

Fisheries and Oceans—Main Estimates, 2020-21

[Taylor Bachrach, NDP, Skeena—Bulkley Valley, BC]

Mr. Chair, I will finish my questions with a question about the new Fisheries Act. In many ways, the new Fisheries Act is a solid step forward, but the government has been slow to operationalize the policies and regulations that are so important to the objectives set out in the act.

One important objective, and the minister mentioned this earlier, is the rebuilding plans for at-risk salmon populations. These plans are an important opportunity to support first nations, such as the Gitxzan, the Wet’suwet’en, the Lake Babine Nation and the Gitanyow, who are working to rebuild salmon stocks that historically were vital for food.

What is the timeline for fully operationalizing the new Fisheries Act?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Chair, it is extremely important for us to make sure the new Fisheries Act is fully operational.

We have put a number of rebuilding plans in place already. There is more to be done. Some of the ones that needed a rebuilding plan are now out of the critical zone. We are continuing to do that work. There have already been six rebuilding plans done out of 18. We know there is more to do. There are some coming in the very near future and we are going to continue to work to make sure we are addressing those rebuilding plans.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Chair, we are aware DFO is revising the shellfish aquaculture act later this year. We know there are some good players, but there are some bad players in that sector as well. DFO's relationship with the shellfish aquaculture industry is a stunning example of industry capture where input from science, federal and provincial commissions, and environment advocates has been totally ignored over the past 18 years. Practices and certain players in that industry have been allowed to degrade the marine environment.

The people of Denman and Hornby Islands, and Baynes Sound where I live, are calling for changes to the conditions of licensing for shellfish aquaculture regulations. They need this to happen. The impact of unchecked intensification without proper monitoring or enforcement of environmental impact on aquaculture and vital ecosystems has resulted in continued intensification and proliferation of industrial agriculture, which has been destructive to the ecosystems that sustain the health of our region. They are calling for the government to use the guidelines of the aquaculture sustainability council. Will the minister do that?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Mr. Chair, our government is committed to upholding the independence of scientific work and ensuring that decisions are made on the best available science. That is why under this government DFO worked with Canada's chief science adviser to develop and adopt the scientific integrity policies. DFO is a science-based department and high-quality, impartial science is integral to DFO's work.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Chair, herring is a vital source of the ecosystem. It is the bedrock. It is the forage fish for our ecosystem that wild salmon, cod, halibut, shorebirds and mammals rely on. We have seen a decline in herring on the west coast and right now the only open area of the six herring grounds is in the Salish Sea. We have seen the decline of 129,000 tonnes of biomass just in four years to a predicted 58,000 next year. The government said it relies on indigenous and local knowledge, but the first nations have been asking for it to be curtailed or shut down, and so have local communities. Will the minister do the right thing and curtail the herring sector or shut it down until a whole-of-ecosystem management plan is in place?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Chair, we agree that Pacific herring fulfills a vital role in the ecosystem. Its conservation is always going to be a primary objective. We also recognize indigenous fishing rights and the important economic benefits generated from Pacific herring. We are continuing to consult with first nations, harvesters and other interested stakeholders on this shared objective. We consider their valuable input when we inform our fisheries decisions. However, we do base our decisions on science and we will continue to do that.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Chair, we are glad to see the government and the House unanimously support my Motion No. 151 to tackle marine plastics. Part of that motion was to deal with ghost and derelict fishing gear.

We were glad to see the government come up with $8.6 million, but some of that went to industry. We were glad to see it go to the Ocean Legacy Foundation and the Emerald Sea Protection Society as they are good players. However, there are concerns about the funding going to the very industry that has created the pollution itself.

What we were calling for was a polluter-pay system, which would include better standards for enforcement and monitoring, traceability, banning of toxic materials and of course extended producer responsibility for those who created the plastic pollution.

Will the minister apply those principles and do it soon?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Chair, the retrieval of ghost gear is extremely important and a number of stakeholders are involved in that process. We have seen a significant uptake on this program. We want to ensure we are retrieving these harmful gear from our waters. There is no place for ghost gear in the ocean. We need to ensure we do everything we can to mitigate the problems that it causes not only for our whales, but also with regard to our ocean sustainability.

We have invested $8.3 million in the ghost gear fund and we will continue to ensure we address this long-term challenge we have—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. member has 30 seconds left.

[Gord Johns, NDP, Courtenay—Alberni, BC]

Mr. Chair, we are in a wild salmon emergency right now. We are seeing a collapse of wild salmon under the minister's watch. Tonight we have not even heard her commit to more funding. As an example, where I live in Clayoquot Sound, 2,300 chum salmon returned to the Tranquil River. Normally, 15,000 to 35,000 chum return.

Will the minister triple emergency funding to help rebuild those river sheds and help save the wild salmon or will she be the minister who will be known for watching the collapse of the wild—

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The hon. minister.

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, South Shore—St. Margarets, NS]

Mr. Chair, our government is absolutely committed to ensuring we do everything we can to address the decline of wild Pacific salmon. We know there is no silver bullet to this. There are a number of ongoing issues related to things like climate change and habitat degradation. We have seen the Big Bar landslide. There have been a number of challenges with regard to salmon.

We are taking every available measure to ensure we protect the stock. We will continue to do that very hard work. I look forward to working with my colleague on that.

[The Chair, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

It being 11 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 81(4), all votes are deemed reported. The committee will rise and I will now leave the chair.

[The Deputy Speaker, Conservative, Bruce Stanton]

The House stands adjourned until tomorrow at 2 p.m., pursuant to Standing Order 24(1).

(The House adjourned at 11:01 p.m.)