Mr. Speaker, I rise today to request an emergency debate to discuss the crisis facing British Columbia, given the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' impending decision for proposed recreational salmon fishery closures.
The impact that these proposed closures would have on small communities across the B.C. coast would be catastrophic. Port Renfrew, in my riding on south Vancouver Island, alone would lose $11 million to $12 million per year, effectively ending Port Renfrew. According to DFO's own statistics, B.C. could lose over 9,000 jobs, 300,000 salmon anglers and over $400 million in household income per year.
DFO is proposing both commercial and recreational fishing closures with the stated goal of protecting the southern resident killer whales, with the decision next month. This proposal targets the recreational fishing industry and ignores numerous other factors that contribute to salmon stock management and the welfare of the southern resident killer whales.
The recreational fishing impact on fish stocks is minimal. In the last few years, salmon stocks in B.C. have been healthy and are at record levels. In fact, some areas that are facing proposed closures are not even southern resident killer whale hunting grounds, indicating that there are other factors affecting the health of these important whales that are not being considered under this proposal.
Based on the catastrophic impact that this potential closure will have on small communities across British Columbia, I ask you, Mr. Speaker, to acknowledge the emergency in British Columbia and the recreational fishing industry by granting an emergency debate.