Joyce Murray

[Fisheries and Oceans, June 13th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, the conservation of our fish stocks is in everyone's interest and is a high priority for me, and so is the ability of recreational and commercial fishers to fish. That is why we make our decisions based on science. Virtually every year, we go back out and test and find what the abundance of the fisheries is. We make our decisions based on that.

I will just assure the member that the interests of the harvesters are ones I hold at heart, as well as the need to conserve and rebuild the abundance of diverse fish stocks.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, I do understand the difficulty when fisheries decline, and our job is to conserve the fishery so it can regrow in abundance and be available for those who depend on it.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, I encourage the member to make a representation to the transport minister on any regulatory matter or change he is proposing.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, we have spent over $600 million, in addition to the annual funding for harbours, to do exactly that. I am not aware that French Creek harbour has made a request, but that individual case can be looked into.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, as I said, we will not be making any changes without first understanding the lay of the land, and we appreciate the fisheries and oceans report on this matter.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, the ownership structure has evolved over decades. Here on the west coast it has evolved differently than on the east coast. We are now taking a look at what the data is on who does own what, and we will be looking at—

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, as I mentioned, I will not prejudge the conclusion. We are still in the process of gathering data on ownership.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, we need to make our decisions based on facts, and that is what we are doing right now. We are gathering the facts.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, I will not be prejudging the outcome of our work to identify what the state of the ownership is on the west coast at present.

[Business of Supply, May 31st, 2022]

Mr. Chair, with respect to the fisheries and oceans report, we have a study of the ownership so that we actually know what the landscape is on the west coast. This benefits the fisheries, the harvesters, their communities and the broader economy. This is a public good resource and fishers have access to it through licences and permits.