Gail Shea

[The Environment, October 8th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we have said that projects will only move forward if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.

TransCanada has not even submitted the construction of a marine terminal at Cacouna for review, so how can we turn down something that has not been applied for?

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 2nd, 2014]

Yes, Mr. Speaker, certainly our officials are investigating. I share the concerns of my colleague with regard to the exceptionally low runs of Atlantic salmon, but we are doing a lot of things, a lot of management measures, because conservation is the number one priority of our government.

Along with things that have been identified, such as conservation and protection, I can assure the hon. member that in 2013 alone, there were almost 65,000 hours dedicated to the monitoring and enforcement of Atlantic salmon throughout Atlantic Canada.

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, on the expansion of mussel leases in Malpeque Bay, there has been no decision, but I can say that science will guide that decision, along with consultations with stakeholders.

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 1st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, unfortunately, the decision to prohibit directed fishing of shrimp in 3L was not surprising. Several other groundfish stocks will be seeing an increase in total allowable catch, such as redfish, Greenland halibut, and witch flounder.

We know that effective fisheries management must rely on scientific advice. I hope that the member is not suggesting that we ignore science, and fish stocks collapse.

[The Environment, September 30th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we do take it seriously, and that is why we have only authorized a minor geotechnical survey to take place in the Cacouna area.

The work was authorized based on scientific information and under the very strictest conditions that would mitigate any potential harm to the marine life there. The actual construction of the marine terminal has not been submitted or reviewed, and it has certainly not been authorized.

[The Environment, September 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this decision was made by scientists and was based on science. After DFO conducted its review and delivered the authorization based on scientific expertise, under the strictest conditions, this minor exploratory work was granted. Authorization was granted.

As far as scientists speaking, the House should know that over the last two years, DFO scientists have done over 600 interviews with the media.

[Intergovernmental Affairs, September 29th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the authorization that was granted by the federal government was for minor exploratory work only. Any application for the building of a terminal has not even come forward yet, and when it does it will be subject to the full NEB environmental process.

However, the Quebec court decision has nothing to do with the review conducted by DFO. Quebec conducts its own reviews, under its own laws.

DFO conducted its review and delivered an authorization which was based upon scientific expertise, and under the strictest conditions.

[Fisheries and Oceans, September 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, perhaps the member did not hear my answer.

This is a test fishery with a 2,000 tonne quota for the entire fleet, large and small ships. The larger ships had opted not to participate in this test fishery for the last few years, and this year they did.

This is currently being reviewed.

[Fisheries and Oceans, September 25th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, not at all. This area has been subject to a redfish fishing moratorium since 1995.

However, in 1999 the decision was made to allow for a small 2,000 tonne test fishery to support science and the monitoring of stocks.

The division of access of this test fishery was split between larger and smaller vessel fleets according to the historical access prior to the moratorium. Inshore fishers have participated in this test fishery most of the years since it has been implemented. Recently I have heard concerns from several industry members of the presence of larger vessels. Therefore, I have asked that this issue be examined as part of a recently formed DFO working industry group on redfish.

[The Environment, September 24th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak to Quebec's authorization, but that was the subject of yesterday's ruling. It was a review undertaken by the Quebec provincial government under Quebec provincial laws.

DFO conducted its own review of TransCanada's work, and we did approve it, based on science advice and under the strictest conditions.