Debates of Nov. 24th, 2020

Fisheries and Oceans—Main Estimates, 2020-21

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Madam Chair, many have spoken tonight about engagement, as have you, minister. Engagement with our coastal communities is crucial to maintaining a thriving fishery. We can all agree on that in the House and in the country.

What is our government doing to support a stable fishery solution? In particular, can you talk about the initiatives to keep our oceans free from plastics and ghost gear, which I mentioned in my statement?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

I want to remind the member that he is to address his questions and comments to the Chair.

The hon. minister.

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

Madam Chair, during the 2018 G7 presidency, Canada spearheaded the Charlevoix blueprint for healthy oceans, seas and resilient coastal communities. We have invested $8.3 million in our ghost gear fund. This is a very popular initiative that sees harvesters collecting gear out of the ocean. We have collected a great deal of it over the last little while. We know there is more to be done and we will continue to make sure that there are investments to address this program.

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Madam Chair, when I worked at Cape Breton University, there was a slogan: “science matters”. Research matters, but in particular science matters. Under the Conservatives, cuts were made to DFO and science.

I am wondering if the minister could speak about how this government is supporting science at DFO.

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

Madam Chair, DFO employs more than 2,000 scientists who research and monitor our oceans. Under the previous government, significant cuts were made to DFO science. We have reinvested to make sure we are making our decisions based on science. We have invested in over 300 new science positions.

We are going to make decisions based on science. It is extremely important to have the right people in those jobs. We are committed to making sure that science is our number one priority when we are looking at this.

[Mike Kelloway, Liberal, Cape Breton—Canso, NS]

Madam Chair, those are my questions.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Madam Chair, I will be splitting my time this evening with the member for Chatham-Kent—Leamington and the member for Prince George—Peace River—Northern Rockies.

This past weekend, people around the world celebrated World Fisheries Day. This annual opportunity is to celebrate our fishers and our heritage while identifying the challenges in the industry.

In that spirit, as a parliamentarian, I proceeded to review the best and worst practices in our Canadian fisheries. Unbeknownst to me, when I reviewed the government's departmental plan, sustainability plan and the minister's mandate letter to further seek clarification on where our fisheries have been and where they are going, I was astonished to learn that our freshwater fisheries, which are critically important historically and economically to my home province, were not mentioned once in these documents.

Can the minister explain this obvious glaring omission, will she proceed to immediately apologize to freshwater fishers and can she identify any priorities in her departmental plan that specifically address this critical sector?

[Bernadette Jordan, Liberal, Minister of Fisheries]

Madam Chair, freshwater fisheries are an extremely important part of fisheries in Canada. That is one of the reasons we made sure that freshwater fishers were eligible for the fish harvester benefit and grant program. We are making sure that we work with the provinces, which regulate the inland fisheries. We will work with them to make sure the fisheries are monitored and that they have access to the same programs as our coastal fisheries.

Freshwater fisheries are extremely important in Canada. We know that. That is one of the reasons we are working with the provinces to make sure they have the supports they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Madam Chair, I guess that is why it was in the mandate letter.

The Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation is among the government's most troubled federal agencies. Issues ranging from poor management to dodgy expenses to high rates of workplace injury were common practices, leading to all provinces withdrawing from their obligations. In 2019, the government recommended that the corporation transition to a harvester-led co-operative or an indigenous economic development corporation. The minister's departmental plan identifies that she wants to ensure indigenous peoples are empowered to make decisions about their communities, their fisheries and the industry.

It has been over a year. Will the minister commit today to meeting with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs to discuss, identify and advance the prospects of transitioning the agency into an indigenous-led economic development corporation?

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

Madam Chair, I have already met with a number of first nations chiefs in Manitoba. We will continue to have those ongoing discussions. Reconciliation is extremely important to the government, and we know there is a lot to be done.

With regard to the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation, this is one of the issues we have spoken about. We will continue to have those discussions. We know it is important for indigenous communities to market their fish. We will continue to work with them to make sure we find the best path forward.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Madam Chair, the minister has identified increasing investments in Canada's small craft harbours as a top priority. However, year after year, freshwater fishers continue to wait for improvements to their local harbour authorities. In fact, in the last two years, there have been zero investments in Manitoba.

Could the minister detail what the department has planned for small craft harbour enhancements throughout the province of Manitoba?

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

Madam Chair, of course DFO looks after all the small craft harbours under its mandate. We will continue to work to make sure that small craft harbours are addressed, if they need to be.

We have invested significantly in small craft harbours since 2016, with over $480 million in over 800 projects. We know there is more to be done. We will continue to work to make sure that we address the issues around small craft harbours.

[Dan Mazier, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, MB]

Madam Chair, over the next three years, the main estimates indicate that DFO plans to cut nearly $1 billion out of its current total budget. That accounts for almost 20%.

Could the minister explain how drastically cutting the department's budget will in fact improve services, enhance our fisheries and achieve the priorities outlined in the department plan?

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

Time is basically up. I ask the minister to give a brief answer.

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

Madam Chair, actually, this year's estimates show that we have increased spending at DFO by almost half a billion dollars. That has been done to help with reconciliation, the TMX accommodations and the renewal of the Coast Guard fleet.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Madam Chair, like my colleague from Manitoba, those in the Ontario freshwater fishery have expressed concerns that they do not seem to be a priority for DFO. In fact, I listened intently to the minister's opening speech, and there was no mention of them.

Could the minister briefly outline the top priorities in the three-year to five-year plan of the ministry for the Ontario freshwater fishery?

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

Madam Chair, DFO works in collaboration with the province when it comes to its freshwater fishery. As the hon. colleague well knows, that is what has regulations for the inland fishery. We have made sure we are working with the province. I have met with the provincial minister of fisheries to make sure the province is addressing the concerns we heard with regard to harvesters during COVID-19. We are also making sure we are addressing the concerns around—

[The Assistant Deputy Chair, Liberal, Alexandra Mendes]

The hon. member for Chatham-Kent—Leamington.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Madam Chair, does the minister support the work of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission?

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

Madam Chair, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission does very good work. We know it is an integral part of making sure the Great Lakes are well looked after. We will continue to work with them.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Madam Chair, the Great Lakes fishery has an economic value of over $8 billion, but it was largely decimated by the invasion of the sea lamprey. Economic viability was restored through the convention with the U.S., the treaty called the “Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries”. The resulting control measures were implemented binationally.

Is the minister not concerned that Canada's $10-million underfunding of the commission threatens the viability of this fishery?

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

Madam Chair, the sea lamprey control program is administered by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to protect the native fish and species. This is in accordance with a binational agreement that Canada contributes over $10.6 million annually to control the management of the sea lamprey. We are going to continue to work with the Great Lakes commission because we are committed to the long-term sustainability of this program.

[Dave Epp, Conservative, Chatham-Kent—Leamington, ON]

Madam Chair, we contribute $10 million, but we are $10 million short. I can say that eight Great Lakes U.S. senators raised the issue with the Canadian ambassador in 2016. This past spring, the U.S. Great Lakes task force met with a Canadian MP and a Canadian senator and again raised the chronic underfunding issue.

What is the minister's response to these American concerns that the current government has known of for over five years?

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

Madam Chair, we know how important the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is to the protection of the native fish and species of the Great Lakes. We have worked with the Great Lakes commission. It is a binational organization with the U.S. We are contributing $10.6 million a year to the control and management of sea lamprey specifically. Aquatic invasive species are a—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.