Fisheries committee  Thank you for that question. As I've stated a few times today, in my time in this ministry, I have no time for and I have no intention of continuing to just say that the federal government is the only responsible party, but they are the senior level of government and they do have that responsibility.

Fisheries committee  Thank you for the opportunity to speak and to provide testimony to the committee. I wish all the best to all the MPs as you finish this spring and summer session. Thank you very much.

Fisheries committee  Thank you, MP Barron, for the question. What did I say in the Whitehorse Star? In any event, hopefully, they were reasonable things. Yukon first nations, over the course of the last 30 years now—and it has occurred over the last 30 years—have absolutely made the ultimate sacrifice with respect to subsistence harvesting.

Fisheries committee  I think it was in my response to Vice-Chair Arnold that I provided a fair bit of information on that. I can confirm that in February, Governor Michael Dunleavy, the Governor of Alaska, attended Whitehorse with three of his commissioners. The transportation commissioner and the fish and game commissioner were there.

Fisheries committee  I'm sorry. I didn't have the translation.

Fisheries committee  Absolutely. As I said, the three commissioners and the Governor of Alaska came to Whitehorse in February. I plan to return the visit. I'll be in Juneau, Fairbanks or Anchorage and meet with my counterparts there to continue the advocacy to advance this file. Speaking for myself, I am cautiously optimistic that we are moving in a positive direction.

Fisheries committee  Thank you, MP Hanley. I do have somewhat comprehensive notes on this, but I will try to provide a relatively quick summary. The Yukon government, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and decision bodies, during the environmental assessment, review placer mining projects and their impacts on salmon and salmon habitat.

Fisheries committee  Thank you. Cognizant of the fact that I likely have less than a minute, I would repeat my comments about the fruitful conversations we're having with Kwanlin Dün. The Department of the Environment officials have met with all 14 Yukon first nations. There are 11 self-governing and three non-self-governing first nations.

Fisheries committee  Thank you so much for that question, Madame Vice-Chair Desbiens. I am certainly open to sharing the opportunity to receive the experiences of my Quebec counterparts. I must say that I have not had a lot of meetings with the Quebec counterparts, but I and our department are open to sharing experiences and possible solutions to move forward on the path to restoration.

Fisheries committee  I'm not aware of active discussions. I know that they are occurring between DFO and the federal government; however, there is now the Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee. There is an agreement now to limit salmon catch for a full seven-year cycle to try to reach an escapement goal of 70,000 fish.

Fisheries committee  —the Alaskans—

Fisheries committee  Okay.

Fisheries committee  I know that a lot of funds have been dedicated for the B.C. west coast. I know that our government, both the premier and I, are advocating to the federal government to divert some of the funds that have been provided specifically for B.C. salmon restoration and divert them to the Yukon River restoration efforts, and those discussions continue.

Fisheries committee  It's good to see you.

Fisheries committee  Thank you, MP Hanley. There are a number of possible initiatives. I believe that the Yukon government and my ministry does want to occupy the field in a more significant manner. I do have some examples of where we're going. The Department of Environment supports the idea of a Yukon-based conservation hatchery, and we are continuing discussions with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Yukon first nations to provide support when called upon.