Madam Speaker, I appreciate my colleague talking about the record amount of funding invested in wild salmon and its success. I have a lot of respect for him, but now is not the time to take our foot off the gas. The answer tonight does not give coastal communities what they need, which is certainty. The Pacific salmon strategy initiative is set to expire in just over a month, and we still do not have a clear commitment on its renewal. That puts restoration work, good jobs and real progress on wild salmon recovery at risk. First nations, hatcheries and community restoration groups cannot plan without stable long-term funding. Habitat restoration is not something we turn on and off. Time is of the essence.
There is also a separate review under way of the salmon allocation policy. People deserve honest communication about what that review is and what it is not. No one is losing their right to fish. Recreation fishing is not being eliminated, but conservation and rebuilding must come first. Without healthy salmon, there is no fishery for anyone. Coastal communities are waiting.
The Liberal government needs to move quickly, provide transparency and commit now to renewing wild salmon restoration funding.