Debates of May 30th, 2022

Department of Fisheries and Oceans—Main Estimates 2022-23

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, it was the Canadian shipbuilding strategy established by the previous Conservative government that started the delivery of these vessels. The delivery has been under the minister's government and you are taking credit for a shipbuilding strategy.

How does DFO manage fisheries when at-sea science data is absent?

[The Chair, Conservative, Chris d'Entremont]

I want to remind members to ask their questions through the Chair.

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, it is with the best data we can accumulate, and often it is from fish harvesters.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, is the minister confident the Franklin, Cartier and Cabot vessels delivered by her government are seaworthy and safe workplaces for the Coast Guard and DFO personnel aboard?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, they will not be out on the sea if they are not seaworthy.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, has the minister instructed the commissioner of the Canadian Coast Guard to ensure the vessels delivered by the Liberal government are not sent to sea unless they are proved to be safe for all aboard?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, the ships that go to sea have gone through inspections and are safe to sail. The reality is that new ships sometimes have problems that do not emerge until they are out on the water.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, earlier the minister stated that the government is developing a responsible plan for those affected by the Discovery Islands decision, because those people deserve no less. Some British Columbians have already lost their jobs to the Discovery Islands decision, and this minister keeps telling them to just go on EI.

Why does the minister believe that some Canadians deserve no less than a responsible transition plan, but others should go on EI?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, the licences that were not renewed in the Discovery Islands were before my time as minister. I have the responsibility to develop a responsible plan for transitioning away from open net-pen aquaculture.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, tonight the minister stated that there are EI programs for those having difficulties. The minister is referring to difficulties like jobs and businesses that have been eliminated by the government's decision.

Can the minister admit tonight that her government's decisions are more than difficulties for Canadians, that they are already devastating?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, what I would say is that it is a difficult situation for anyone who loses a job or a business, and I have a great deal of empathy. I would like to point out that there are more jobs than before the COVID pandemic and that our unemployment rate is at a historic low.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, what level of importance does the minister place on the work of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, it is very important work.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, earlier the minister stated that the government is studying potential steps to establish a beneficial owner licensing policy on the west coast.

Has the minister read the fisheries committee report that examined problems in the DFO licensing and quota regimes on the west coast?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, I think there may be a misunderstanding as to what I said. It was that the DFO is conducting a study of beneficial ownership, and yes, I have reviewed the report.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, this report was titled “West Coast Fisheries: Sharing Risk and Benefits”, and it provided the government with 20 recommendations.

Has the minister included the committee's recommendations in the government's development of a beneficial owner licensing policy for the west coast?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, we are certainly reviewing the recommendations and taking them into consideration.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, does the minister sign off on DFO's proposed annual budget and estimates before they are tabled in the House?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, that is not part of what I do.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, the minister does not sign off on the budget for her own department? That is shocking.

How much of DFO's budget for the current fiscal year is determined by cabinet?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, I just want to go back over the previous question. I recommend the budget to the House. I do not sign off on the budget.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, how much of DFO's budget for the current fiscal year is determined by cabinet?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, it is decided by the House.

[Mel Arnold, Conservative, North Okanagan—Shuswap, BC]

Mr. Chair, has the minister reduced or increased the ministry's budget estimates under the direction of the PMO or cabinet?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Mr. Chair, no, I have not.