House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2015, with 29% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, we are working with the province of B.C. to establish the way forward. The courts allowed for a one-year transition phase from the provincial government to the federal government. However, no matter who is responsible or who manages the aquaculture industry, we have to be sure that it is sustainable, so that is what we are doing.
I want to add that we did find the answer for the science personnel in the Pacific region and it is 456.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, our aboriginal fishing policy in Canada is guided by supporting a healthy and prosperous aboriginal community through building and supporting strong and stable relationships with first nations, working in a way that upholds the honour of the Crown and facilitating aboriginal participation in fisheries and aquaculture, associated economic opportunities and in the management of aquatic resources.
We have the aboriginal fisheries strategy, which was launched in 1992 and has funding of $22 million a year. We have an aboriginal aquatic resource and oceans management program that provides aboriginal groups, where DFO manages the fishery, with the capacity to participate effectively in the DFO and multi-stakeholder processes, which is used for aquatic resource and oceans management.
Participation in that program is voluntary, but aboriginal groups are signatories of 35 contribution agreements, covering an estimated 200 aboriginal communities from that fund.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, we do not have the figure on the number of officers in the region with us tonight, but we can add that the information package the member has asked for on the Pacific region.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, most of the $26 million that goes to British Columbia on an annual basis goes directly to enhance the salmon stocks.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, I believe the number is 178 enforcement officers.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, that certainly is a possibility. We will be having some dialogue with the industry while we are out there. If that is its wish, and if it sees that as a way to finding a solution, then it is something we will pursue.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, I do believe that right now I am scheduled to go to British Columbia around the first week of July. However, that could change. We will be speaking to the industry out there and we will be setting up meetings prior to my going there.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, actually, I do have plans to go to British Columbia and I hope to visit some of the people within the halibut industry.
Both these sectors are very important to the economy. Because there is a decrease in the overall total allowable catch, I guess both recreational and commercial harvesters will be facing that decrease this year. The recreational fishery did open on March 1 with a daily catch limit of one halibut and a possession limit of two.
We are working with the sectors. I do understand that some progress has been made and that is good to hear because we have to get that marketing mechanism in place to allow both sectors to perform to their full potential when it comes to the halibut fishery.
I am more than willing to work with both because I recognize that the recreational fishery needs some stability because it plans a whole year ahead for its businesses. I will be working with the fishery and hopefully we can find a solution.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, those are region specific and it is very detailed information, so we would have to compile that information for the hon. member and get it to him.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, we do not have the breakdown of the $250 million for the specific region, but we can certainly get that for the member.