Mr. Speaker, coastal communities are running out of time. Key federal programs to protect wild salmon and restore critical habitat expire in March, and they were not included in this budget. The government still has not confirmed their renewal, and communities cannot wait for a spring economic statement.
On the west coast, wild salmon are vital for food security, culture, the ecosystem and the economy. First nations, hatcheries and restoration groups are doing the work, but they cannot plan without federal certainty.
It is essential that we not take our foot off the gas. Will the minister renew these essential programs now?