Madam Chair, yes, this agreement will come to the House for debate. As to when, I do not have a date for the member.
House of Commons photoLost her last election, in 2015, with 29% of the vote.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, yes, this agreement will come to the House for debate. As to when, I do not have a date for the member.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, it is my understanding that the text is silent on that, so we have not confirmed that.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, I would have to look into the matter, because I am not aware of that.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, the government recognizes the importance of conservation and sustainability of our resources.
As mentioned, Canada and the United States have ratified an agreement to renew parts of the Pacific Salmon Treaty that expired at the end of 2008. We consulted widely with affected Canadian stakeholders, something I am proud to say is one of my key priorities as minister. The renewed chapters will be in effect for the next 10 years and place strong emphasis on conservation, the stability of access for harvesters, and the sustainability of the Pacific salmon resource. This agreement will help conserve B.C. chinook stocks, as well as those listed under the United States' Endangered Species Act.
It is only with the co-operation of our neighbours to the south and other jurisdictions that we can protect precious stocks such as salmon.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Madam Chair, indeed having Canada participate in international organizations and negotiations is essential to fulfilling our mandate, as well as delivering the results that Canadians are looking for.
One example of the significant achievements made on behalf of Canadians is DFO's leading role in gaining agreement on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems at the United Nations in 2006, a matter that is now considered to be the most important regime shift in high seas fisheries in decades. This agreement allows bottom fisheries to proceed while avoiding significant adverse impact to vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Canada brought consensus to the issue when the international community was sharply divided, by providing a practical and credible way forward. This consensus agreement was strongly supported by industry and environmental organizations.
It gives me great pride to say that the implementation of the 2006 commitment is well under way in regional fisheries management organizations, including NAFO. I want to emphasize that this achievement has direct implications for Canadians. By leading the negotiations, Canada made a significant impact on international standards. This is but one instance of the outstanding international work being done for Canadians by my department.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Mr. Chair, I do not have that figure at my fingertips. What I can tell the member is that we have also written letters to the chairs of every European parliamentary committee and to every member of the European parliament. We have sent them copies of newspaper ads. We have even delivered, with the Province of Quebec, copies of the film Phoques: le film so that they could educate--
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Mr. Chair, yes, DFO has advertised in various EU media. We have taken out full-page ads in European magazines. We have posted advertisements on key European parliamentary websites. We have done a lot in defending the Canadian seal hunt.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Yes, Mr. Chair, several of our staff have been to Europe. There has been a presentation made to a committee of the European parliament where our members went to defend the seal hunt, along with other groups that were also there to present on the seal hunt.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Mr. Chair, every parliamentarian in Europe would have been contacted prior to the vote. Unfortunately they were also contacted by a Liberal senator with the opposite message.
Business of Supply May 28th, 2009
Mr. Chair, I have been to Europe on one occasion. I am here only as long as the hon. member is, but I can assure him that there have been other representations in Europe.
A senator from Newfoundland was part of the delegation. Our ambassador has spent a lot of time in Europe talking to everyone involved and to people in all 27 European countries. We have put massive amounts of time into defending the Canadian seal hunt.