Debates of May 30th, 2022

Department of Fisheries and Oceans—Main Estimates 2022-23

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, could the minister confirm how many projects have been initiated under the conservation and stewardship pillar of the PSSI since it was launched last year?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, it is very important for us to do this collaboratively, which means consulting with all of the partners and moving forward together. That is just what we are doing. We are engaged in that.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, could the minister please clarify how many projects have been initiated under the salmon enhancement pillar of the PSSI since it launched over a year ago?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, we could get the exact numbers to the member, but I can say that work has started. We have been funding, through the SRIF program, everything from science to restoration work. That work is ongoing.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, it will achieve its goals through collaboration across government, partners, stakeholders and interested parties. Dr. Brian Riddell of the Pacific Salmon Foundation said he has not been able to participate in any consultations around the PSSI.

Ms. Charlotte Whitney from the Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance indicated that the department has provided no information about how the program would be implemented alongside first nations research and traditional knowledge.

When will Canadians see any forward movement from this program if DFO is not ready to consult with key scientific institutions such as the Pacific Salmon Foundation?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, I would say that most organizations always would like more in consultation. I think that is just the case.

We do consult with a whole range of organizations, and certainly I was happy to announce a whole lot of money for new science of understanding the salmon runs with the Pacific salmon initiative just a few months ago.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, does the minister agree that the department is doing enough to consult with first nations when DFO still has not shared with indigenous communities where their knowledge and expertise will fit within the PSSI?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, consulting with stakeholders is at the foundation of what we do at DFO, because we know we get better results that way. We are consulting with first nations.

We have briefed Dr. Riddell from the Pacific Salmon Foundation—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, based on the lack of real action to implement the PSSI, will this be another lost year for wild Pacific salmon and habitat restoration efforts?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, this will be a very active and productive year on behalf of our wild Pacific salmon, just as it should be.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, there are many factors contributing to the decline of wild salmon, but it is indisputable that open-net salmon farming is having a detrimental impact on our wild salmon.

The government has promised to take action in its past three mandate letters. Why are we not seeing real funding being committed in this year's budget?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, we are working on a responsible plan to transition away from open net-pen salmon aquaculture. I have had many consultations with indigenous communities, with industry and with environmental organizations. We need to do this in a responsible—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, does the minister agree that the fact that DFO is still reviewing applications for expansion to aquaculture facilities raises serious doubts about the government's commitment to remove open-net fish farms from B.C. waters?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, what I will say is that we are utterly committed to developing a responsible plan to transition away from open net-pen salmon aquaculture in British Columbia. We need to do that because we—

[The Deputy Chair, NDP, Carol Hughes]

The hon. member.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, across B.C. fish farm licences are up for renewal at the end of June. Will the minister's decision on these licences coincide with a clear plan about how the government will meet the promises of removing these facilities from B.C.'s waters by 2025?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, we will do a responsible set of consultations as we develop the plan. People deserve no less.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, is the government committed to having meaningful transition supports available to indigenous and rural workers who will be impacted by the removal of fish farms from B.C.'s waters?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, the plan is under development and the plan will consider what kinds of mitigation measures are appropriate.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, I am hearing from first nations that are worried about this transition taking place without a robust consultation and the resources they need to support their communities.

Can the minister point to concrete steps that the government has taken to fund a just transition for these communities, and if there are none, when will we see them?

[Joyce Murray, Liberal, Vancouver Quadra, BC]

Madam Chair, I just want to reinforce that we are still in the process of developing a plan so it is not clear what, if any, just transition will be necessary. We are in the process of consulting with all potentially affected stakeholders so that we can develop a responsible plan, and that is what we will do.

[Lisa Marie Barron, NDP, Nanaimo—Ladysmith, BC]

Madam Chair, last year's Oceana Fishery Audit highlighted that one-third of all of Canada's fish stocks remained uncertain due to insufficient data.

When will DFO ensure that all of Canada's stocks have sufficient assessments completed?