SoVote

Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 77

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 30, 2022 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 77 - May/30/22
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo—Ladysmith, NDP)
  • May/30/22 8:58:13 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, I cannot help but feel deeply concerned about the lack of vision and new commitments in this year's budget to protect the marine ecosystems and to support communities that rely on our fishing industry. We need real leadership and bold action, and I cannot see that in this year's budget. I would like to use my time today to ask the minister questions. Wild Pacific salmon are a fundamental part of our ecosystems on the west coast. Wild salmon populations have declined by 70% over the last century in B.C. Successive Liberal and Conservative governments have failed this vital species. It has been over a year since the government announced its Pacific salmon strategy initiative. Beyond long-term fishing closures, the government has been silent about how it is helping the salmon populations. Wild Pacific salmon are facing a crisis. Can the minister confirm how much of the $35 million budgeted last year for the PSSI was spent?
163 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray (Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Lib.)
  • May/30/22 8:59:18 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, we actually have $176.7 million this year for the Pacific salmon strategy initiative, to do the very important work of restoration, conservation and stewardship, and harvest transformation, as well as standing up some organizations that will focus on wild Pacific salmon on the coast.
47 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 8:59:50 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, why should Canadians be confident that this funding will be spent if fundamental parts of the program still have not been established after an entire year of this program being implemented?
33 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:00:07 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, I would say that I am as anxious as the member is that we take action to restore wild Pacific salmon. I will say that there are some—
31 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • May/30/22 9:00:24 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. member.
3 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:00:28 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, could the minister confirm how many projects have been initiated under the conservation and stewardship pillar of the PSSI since it was launched last year?
27 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:00:39 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, it is very important for us to do this collaboratively, which means consulting with all of the partners and moving forward together. That is just what we are doing. We are engaged in that.
36 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:00:51 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, could the minister please clarify how many projects have been initiated under the salmon enhancement pillar of the PSSI since it launched over a year ago?
28 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:01:03 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, we could get the exact numbers to the member, but I can say that work has started. We have been funding, through the SRIF program, everything from science to restoration work. That work is ongoing.
37 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:01:21 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, it will achieve its goals through collaboration across government, partners, stakeholders and interested parties. Dr. Brian Riddell of the Pacific Salmon Foundation said he has not been able to participate in any consultations around the PSSI. Ms. Charlotte Whitney from the Central Coast Indigenous Resource Alliance indicated that the department has provided no information about how the program would be implemented alongside first nations research and traditional knowledge. When will Canadians see any forward movement from this program if DFO is not ready to consult with key scientific institutions such as the Pacific Salmon Foundation?
97 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:01:59 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, I would say that most organizations always would like more in consultation. I think that is just the case. We do consult with a whole range of organizations, and certainly I was happy to announce a whole lot of money for new science of understanding the salmon runs with the Pacific salmon initiative just a few months ago.
60 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:02:35 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, does the minister agree that the department is doing enough to consult with first nations when DFO still has not shared with indigenous communities where their knowledge and expertise will fit within the PSSI?
36 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:02:49 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, consulting with stakeholders is at the foundation of what we do at DFO, because we know we get better results that way. We are consulting with first nations. We have briefed Dr. Riddell from the Pacific Salmon Foundation—
41 words
All Topics
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • May/30/22 9:03:05 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. member.
3 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:03:08 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, based on the lack of real action to implement the PSSI, will this be another lost year for wild Pacific salmon and habitat restoration efforts?
27 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:03:18 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, this will be a very active and productive year on behalf of our wild Pacific salmon, just as it should be.
23 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:03:28 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, there are many factors contributing to the decline of wild salmon, but it is indisputable that open-net salmon farming is having a detrimental impact on our wild salmon. The government has promised to take action in its past three mandate letters. Why are we not seeing real funding being committed in this year's budget?
58 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:03:50 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, we are working on a responsible plan to transition away from open net-pen salmon aquaculture. I have had many consultations with indigenous communities, with industry and with environmental organizations. We need to do this in a responsible—
41 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
The Deputy Chair
  • May/30/22 9:04:11 p.m.
  • Watch
The hon. member.
3 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border
Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:04:16 p.m.
  • Watch
Madam Chair, does the minister agree that the fact that DFO is still reviewing applications for expansion to aquaculture facilities raises serious doubts about the government's commitment to remove open-net fish farms from B.C. waters?
38 words
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
  • star_border