Business of Supply  Madam Chair, we are making sure that we are supporting coastal communities right across the country. We are supporting fisheries right across the country, even our inland fisheries. They are extremely important to a number of communities inland as well. We are going to continue to do that.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, when we look at what is required in coastal communities, we look at a number of different factors. It is important to make sure that we are addressing the concerns of coastal communities. That is why we are making these investments through the Quebec fishery fund, which is a contribution program that is funded jointly by the Government of Canada and the Province of Quebec.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I want to thank my hon. colleague for her intervention. We have seen wonderful investments in the fisheries in the past two years through the Atlantic fisheries fund, the Quebec fisheries fund and the B.C. SRIF fund, making sure that harvesters have what they need through the fish harvester benefit and grant program and through the Canadian seafood stabilization fund.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, when we were doing the COVID relief benefit programs, we looked at making sure that all of the areas that had been impacted, and all of the harvesters that had been impacted, would benefit from the programs. We saw that right across the country. We are continuing to work with our provincial counterparts to make sure that we address the concerns we hear from the fishery in her area and all areas, and we will continue to do that.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, small craft harbours are extremely important. They are the vital infrastructure that keep our fishery running. We need to make sure we are doing everything. Our government has invested significantly in small craft harbours. I know how important they are to our rural coastal communities and I will continue to work to make sure we are addressing the gaps we are seeing in our small craft harbours.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, first of all, I support exploring a mark-selective fishery. I understand how important the public fishery is to B.C.'s economy. A number of small businesses, whether tour guides or lodges, have suffered recently and not only due to the loss of tourism this year, but also due to the loss of the wild salmon.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, our government is committed to the protection and recovery of the iconic southern resident killer whales. In recent years we have taken significant steps to address the key threats to their survival. This May, we introduced measures focused on increasing prey availability and reducing the physical and acoustic disturbances, building on our efforts from last year.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the protection of the wild Pacific salmon stocks is a priority for our government. We have been working with a number of organizations through the B.C. SRIF program to make sure we are working toward habitat restoration. We have also invested in Big Bar, which was a significant landslide last year that seriously impacted the Fraser River salmon.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the commercial fishery in Nova Scotia is extremely important to our economic growth. It is important to our rural coastal communities. It is something I have stood behind since I was first elected, and I will continue to do that. I do not appreciate the member opposite putting words in my mouth.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, it is a pleasure to speak in the House today. The primary reason I am here today is to discuss the spending plans for Fisheries and Oceans Canada for the 2020-21 fiscal year. In these main estimates, I am seeking a total of $3.5 billion, which represents a $469 million increase over last year.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, we are working diligently to ensure we sign more agreements. We have signed three so far since we have formed government. As I said, that member was a member of a government that did not get one agreement signed in 10 years.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I am very proud of the fact that we got three agreements in place in the last two years. Previous to that, when that member was part of the government for 10 years, not one agreement was signed. We have moved forward with reconciliation. We are putting in place the things we need to do to ensure we have agreements with first nations communities.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, working on negotiations for these agreements is a complex issue. It is something that requires ongoing negotiations. We are doing that. We have been working expeditiously with the first nations communities to reach agreements. We are looking at fisheries plans now. We will continue to do that.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I have been involved in this file and engaged in it since day one. We have appointed a special representative to work with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and me. He is a neutral third party. He is there to bridge the gap between first nations communities and industry.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I cannot speak to confidential negotiations on who was involved in that process. We are extremely proud of—