Debates of May 30th, 2022

Department of Fisheries and Oceans—Main Estimates 2022-23

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, I will reassert that having a tax on boats that cost over $200,000, and being able to use that to defray expenses for those who need it the most, is a decision that we have made as a government to reduce income inequality.

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

Mr. Chair, why was Canada behind on our obligation to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, in terms of the Great Lakes Commission, we have funded it to the tune of another $9 million a year in the recent budget.

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

Mr. Chair, was it to ensure that this obligation was met?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, our obligation is to be a good partner with the United States in helping to protect the waters of the Great Lakes from invasive species like sea lamprey, and we have almost doubled our funding just for that.

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

Mr. Chair, when did the minister become aware that we were behind on our payments?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, with respect to the Great Lakes Commission, we have maintained the payments that we agreed to in that agreement and now, this year, we have increased it substantially.

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

Mr. Chair, the payments have been increased to meet our obligations that we agreed to. We were behind for seven years, so when will the $9 million that was just committed in this budget be paid? That same commitment was made in 2017.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, I am very proud that we are providing some $45 million for the Great Lakes Commission over the next five years. The commission does great work and will continue to do so.

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

Mr. Chair, does the minister believe that it is acceptable to delay the passing of the budget for the Great Lakes Commission due to Canada's lack of payment?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, I am just going to reinforce what I said before, which is that Canada lived up to its commitment to the Great Lakes Commission. The U.S. partners increased their funding for the commission, and we have now brought our funding up as well. I am very proud of the work that the commission does.

[Some hon. members]

Oh, oh!

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I will remind members that the hon. member for Chatham-Kent—Leamington has the floor.

The hon. member.

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

Mr. Chair, there are vacant positions on the Great Lakes Commission board of directors where candidates have been put forward by Ontario. Why have these positions not been filled?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, we are working to find the appropriate candidates to fill those positions.

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

Mr. Chair, does the minister support the transfer of governance of this commission from DFO to Global Affairs, as the industry has called for?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, I think the decision on this will be taken by the Prime Minister's Office, and all the elements that are involved are in the hands of the Prime Minister's staff.

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

Mr. Chair, I am going to ask her to repeat that. Did she say that she is not in charge of her ministry and that the Prime Minister makes those decisions?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, the member may not understand that this is a machinery of government decision, whether it is Global Affairs Canada or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard that is the partner in this commission partnership with the United States.

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

Mr. Chair, what measures is the minister taking to mitigate the impact of invasive species already in our Great Lakes?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, the funding that is provided to the Great Lakes Commission is primarily dedicated to identifying and eradicating invasive species. My understanding is we are eradicating over 90% of the sea lampreys, and we have kept on top of that challenge.

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

Mr. Chair, how does the minister intend to alter ballast regulations to minimize the amount of invasive species now being released through ballast water?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, we work in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation, and it is the Ministry of Transportation that has regulations concerning ballast and the release of ballast water.

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

Mr. Chair, what is the current status of the Walpole Island and Kettle and Stony Point first nations' interests with respect to indigenous fishing, either for sport or for commercial purposes?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, on that specific question and specific nation, I cannot answer, but the engagement reconciliation with indigenous communities is a high priority for our government, and we are proud of the number of fishery opportunities that we—