Environment committee  I completely agree. I won't get into the specifics of that case, but I would say that the whole role of coordination with the provinces is in order to do rapid response. One of the key issues with an invasive species is to be able to move into immediate action—to assess the threa

Environment committee  Invasive species are indeed a priority in the specific areas where they exist. Our focus has been on Asian carp, zebra and quagga mussels, European green crab, sea lamprey, tunicates and smallmouth bass. These have been identified as the priority species that we are working on at

Environment committee  I think the answer is both. We have augmented funding. The new funding has allowed us to have full capacity to do the work, using our internal and existing capacity in science, fisheries management, conservation and protection to get action when it comes to the prevention of tran

Environment committee  No, not at all. The Aquatic Invasive Species Regulations exist and contain a list of several species. The Commissioner mentioned the existence of a process for adding species to the list. We have begun discussions with the provinces to ensure that we can list new species.

Environment committee  At the moment, the list is substantial

Environment committee  Yes.

Environment committee  What was the species, if I may ask?

Environment committee  It was an invasive aquatic species?

Environment committee  Right.

Environment committee  I can't speak to the parliamentary allocation of resources to the department, but I can speak to the fact that in 2017 it was the first time we had dedicated resources for aquatic invasive species. We have a permanent resource space. This is not five-year funding. This is permane

Environment committee  I would say that tunicates are one of the more challenging species to manage because they are coming in by various ways on vessels. We have seen barges and boats coming in with tunicates attached to them, so it's just a very challenging species to manage. That being said, it is

Environment committee  Definitely, I think the key issue is to identify the modes of transmission. We do recognize that Ontario is the source for zebra mussels going west, and in every direction. Your point is well taken: We should indeed be beefing up at the provincial borders for these species.

Environment committee  In last year's budget, $284 million was announced for a reinvestment in restoring lost protections, which included the staffing of new biologists and new fishery officers. So we are staffing up in B.C. under the modernization agenda. Within this $43.8 million investment over five

Environment committee  In 2017 the government invested $43.8 million in the national aquatic invasive species program. It's the first time that we've had a national program. We are two years in. We achieved our staffing levels this year, and have 20 dedicated staff across the country who are focusing o

Fisheries committee  Yes.