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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 77

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 30, 2022 11:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 77 - May/30/22
Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:00:25 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, why was Canada behind on our obligation to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:00:34 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, in terms of the Great Lakes Commission, we have funded it to the tune of another $9 million a year in the recent budget.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:00:48 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, was it to ensure that this obligation was met?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:00:55 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, our obligation is to be a good partner with the United States in helping to protect the waters of the Great Lakes from invasive species like sea lamprey, and we have almost doubled our funding just for that.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:01:10 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, when did the minister become aware that we were behind on our payments?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:01:15 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, with respect to the Great Lakes Commission, we have maintained the payments that we agreed to in that agreement and now, this year, we have increased it substantially.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:01:33 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the payments have been increased to meet our obligations that we agreed to. We were behind for seven years, so when will the $9 million that was just committed in this budget be paid? That same commitment was made in 2017.
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:01:47 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I am very proud that we are providing some $45 million for the Great Lakes Commission over the next five years. The commission does great work and will continue to do so.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:02:03 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, does the minister believe that it is acceptable to delay the passing of the budget for the Great Lakes Commission due to Canada's lack of payment?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:02:13 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I am just going to reinforce what I said before, which is that Canada lived up to its commitment to the Great Lakes Commission. The U.S. partners increased their funding for the commission, and we have now brought our funding up as well. I am very proud of the work that the commission does. Some hon. members: Oh, oh!
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The Chair
  • May/30/22 10:02:34 p.m.
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I will remind members that the hon. member for Chatham-Kent—Leamington has the floor. The hon. member.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:02:39 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, there are vacant positions on the Great Lakes Commission board of directors where candidates have been put forward by Ontario. Why have these positions not been filled?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:02:50 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, we are working to find the appropriate candidates to fill those positions.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:02:57 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, does the minister support the transfer of governance of this commission from DFO to Global Affairs, as the industry has called for?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:03:06 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I think the decision on this will be taken by the Prime Minister's Office, and all the elements that are involved are in the hands of the Prime Minister's staff.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:03:20 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I am going to ask her to repeat that. Did she say that she is not in charge of her ministry and that the Prime Minister makes those decisions?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:03:27 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the member may not understand that this is a machinery of government decision, whether it is Global Affairs Canada or the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard that is the partner in this commission partnership with the United States.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:03:46 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, what measures is the minister taking to mitigate the impact of invasive species already in our Great Lakes?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 10:03:55 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the funding that is provided to the Great Lakes Commission is primarily dedicated to identifying and eradicating invasive species. My understanding is we are eradicating over 90% of the sea lampreys, and we have kept on top of that challenge.
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Mr. Dave Epp
  • May/30/22 10:04:14 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, how does the minister intend to alter ballast regulations to minimize the amount of invasive species now being released through ballast water?
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