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Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, the recreational fishery is an extremely important and vital part of our economy. We recognize that. We know that the measures we put in place in B.C. this year with regard to the wild Pacific salmon has impacted them. We want to ensure we are doing everything we can to address their concerns so—
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, I have been working and meeting with commercial harvesters since day one of becoming minister. I will continue to do that. They are listened to. They are an extremely important voice in the fishery. We want to make sure we continue to work in partnership with them. Commercial harvesters have fished side by side with first nations for generations. We know there is now a gap there that has never existed and we want to make sure we do everything we can to address that.
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, moderate livelihood fisheries is a Supreme Court decision that impacts the first nations communities in Atlantic Canada and eastern Quebec. The Supreme Court has stated that first nations have a right to a moderate livelihood, and we are working to make sure we implement that right with those first nations.
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, we work with first nations on reconciliation and a number of issues. We will continue to work with them. Fisheries is an extremely important part of reconciliation. Those are all questions and comments we are working to address as we go forward.
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, we know how important the Great Lakes Fishery Commission is to the protection of the native fish and species of the Great Lakes. We have worked with the Great Lakes commission. It is a binational organization with the U.S. We are contributing $10.6 million a year to the control and management of sea lamprey specifically. Aquatic invasive species are a—
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, the sea lamprey control program is administered by the Great Lakes Fishery Commission to protect the native fish and species. This is in accordance with a binational agreement that Canada contributes over $10.6 million annually to control the management of the sea lamprey. We are going to continue to work with the Great Lakes commission because we are committed to the long-term sustainability of this program.
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, the Great Lakes Fishery Commission does very good work. We know it is an integral part of making sure the Great Lakes are well looked after. We will continue to work with them.
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, DFO works in collaboration with the province when it comes to its freshwater fishery. As the hon. colleague well knows, that is what has regulations for the inland fishery. We have made sure we are working with the province. I have met with the provincial minister of fisheries to make sure the province is addressing the concerns we heard with regard to harvesters during COVID-19. We are also making sure we are addressing the concerns around—
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, actually, this year's estimates show that we have increased spending at DFO by almost half a billion dollars. That has been done to help with reconciliation, the TMX accommodations and the renewal of the Coast Guard fleet.
Business of Supply November 24th, 2020
Madam Chair, of course DFO looks after all the small craft harbours under its mandate. We will continue to work to make sure that small craft harbours are addressed, if they need to be.
We have invested significantly in small craft harbours since 2016, with over $480 million in over 800 projects. We know there is more to be done. We will continue to work to make sure that we address the issues around small craft harbours.