Madam Speaker, my question to the parliamentary secretary is about an issue important to our Canada-U.S. relationship. It relates to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission and the bilateral agreement that was agreed to.
In that agreement, Canada is to pay 31% of sea lamprey control costs and 50% of costs associated with science, fisheries management, collaboration and administration. Unfortunately, Canada only currently pays approximately $10 million, which is only 28% of sea lamprey control, and 0% for the science and fisheries management. In effect, this means Canada has not even paid for the sea lamprey control being undertaken in Canadian waters.
When the minister's office was asked if the Liberal government was going to meet the national funding commitment for this in budget 2021, she confirmed it was not. When the Liberal budget is spending over $350 billion, why is it failing to meet our bilateral commitment?