44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 30, 2022 11:00AM
- May/30/22 8:27:23 p.m.
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Madam Chair, it is my pleasure to rise in committee of the whole to present the items in the 2022-23 main estimates for Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard.
Today I am seeking $3.98 billion in planned spending. This amount represents a decrease of $396.2 million in total planned spending compared to the previous fiscal year. This variance in spending is attributed to a combination of factors, including the evolution of existing programs and the completion of other initiatives, as well as some recently introduced programs.
To be more specific, these main estimates include an increase of $589.8 million that is earmarked for a number of key initiatives. This includes $176.7 million in new funding for the Pacific salmon strategy initiative; $149.5 million in new funding for the small craft harbours program; $126 million in new funding related to marine conservation targets; $40.1 million to help conserve Canada's lands and fresh water, protect species, advance indigenous reconciliation and increase access to nature; and an additional $97.5 million for other initiatives.
It is important to note that these increases have been offset by $986 million in spending decreases in other program areas. This includes a number of planned funding profile changes related to indigenous programs, the five-year oceans protection plan, the department's response to the Big Bar landslide, Canadian Coast Guard fleet projects, the Trans Mountain expansion project, as well as other select programs.
This $986 million in spending decreases also includes $140 million in savings, which is attributed to a program that supported self-employed Canadian fish harvesters who were impacted by COVID-19. The original intent of this program was to provide immediate financial assistance to harvesters affected by the pandemic so their operations could begin or continue during the 2020-21 fishing season. Now that this program has met its intended objectives, we are in the process of drawing it to a close.
I want to take this opportunity to address one of the key reductions in planned spending for the 2022-23 year compared to the previous fiscal year. I am referring to the $468.4-million decrease in planned spending on some indigenous programs within my portfolio. It is important to note that this type of planned spending varies each year based on the status of ongoing negotiations and other influences. The main factor underlying this year-over-year change is related to the successful ratification of significant reconciliation funding agreements in 2021-22.
To be more specific, my department transferred approximately $300 million to indigenous groups to support their fisheries access, vessels and gear, as well as collaborative governance. Of this funding, $290 million represents one-time payments. As members know, my department plays a central role in advancing reconciliation with indigenous peoples, and I am very proud of the progress we have made to date, while acknowledging we still have much work to do together. As we chart a fair and equitable path forward, DFO will continue to negotiate and implement fisheries reconciliation agreements and treaty-related measures to advance reconciliation through the fisheries.
I want my hon. colleagues to know I am committed to working with indigenous partners across Canada to find mutually acceptable outcomes on a broad range of files related to fisheries and aquaculture, oceans planning and conservation, habitat protection and restoration, scientific research, and marine safety and environmental protection. By working together toward shared goals, I am confident we can better manage our ocean and marine resources in ways that are collaborative and respectful of indigenous values and communities, as well as their treaty and cultural rights and their aspirations.
I also want to take a few minutes to talk about the Pacific salmon strategy initiative, which will receive $176.7 million in additional funding through these main estimates. Pacific salmon are some of the most iconic species in Canada. They hold immense social, cultural and economic significance for many coastal and inland communities throughout British Columbia and the Yukon, but unfortunately these stocks are also facing serious and unprecedented challenges and declines as a result of a number of complex risk factors.
Urgent and coordinated action is necessary to not only protect and stabilize Pacific salmon stocks, but also to help them recover. That is why budget 2021 set aside $647.1 million over five years, plus $98.9 million in amortization to preserve and rebuild Pacific salmon stocks. This historic investment is being used to conduct research, open new hatcheries, restore habitat, launch the Pacific salmon secretariat and the habitat restoration centre of expertise, and engage with first nations and fish harvesters on the west coast.
To reverse the decline of Pacific salmon stocks, additional funds from the main estimates will be used to advance the Pacific salmon strategy initiative and support ongoing efforts and activities with our many partners.
Before I conclude, I would like to highlight some of the investments in budget 2022 that will help Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Coast Guard fulfill their mandate.
Chapter 3 of the budget includes a section called “Protecting Our Lands, Lakes, and Oceans”, which includes dedicated funding for my department. Most notably, it sets aside $1.1 billion over nine years and $74.5 million in ongoing funding to renew the oceans protection plan.
Additional funding is earmarked for a zero plastic waste initiative, of which my department will receive $41.1 million over five years to help reduce plastic pollution in the marine environment. This includes $10 million for the ghost gear program so our partners on the water can continue removing lost, abandoned and discarded fishing gear from our oceans to keep fishing ongoing. It will also go toward testing new and innovative fishing gear to help reduce gear loss.
Finally, budget 2022 provides $44.9 million over five years, beginning in 2022-23, and $9 million in ongoing funding for my department to meet Canada's commitments to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. In April, our colleague, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Indigenous Services and the member of Parliament for Niagara Centre, who has worked very hard on this matter, made this announcement and can attest to the fact that it was very much welcomed news indeed.
I am confident the funding outlined in these main estimates, coupled with the investments contained in budget 2022 and budget 2021, will help my department implement the initiatives I have just highlighted and fulfill our broader mandate on behalf of the Canadians we are so proud to serve.
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- May/30/22 9:01:03 p.m.
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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.
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- May/30/22 9:25:17 p.m.
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Madam Chair, with this total five-year funding envelope, $346.4 million is vote 1 funding, which means it is dedicated to program operations across all four pillars, including climate change science, stock assessments, fisheries monitoring, a new habitat restoration centre of expertise and enhanced collaborative processes with first nations, the B.C. government, Yukon and key partners.
Second, $274.5 million is vote 10 funding, which includes grants and contribution investments in the B.C. salmon restoration and innovation fund, the new Pacific salmon commercial licence retirement program and other activities.
Lastly, $125.1 million is vote 5 capital funding to build new conservation-based hatchery facilities in the upper Fraser watershed, retrofit DFO and community hatcheries in key geographic areas and acquire key scientific equipment such as mass-marking trailers.
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- 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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- 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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- May/30/22 10:06:46 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, we maintain funding for invasive species. There are a number of invasive species across Canada, and we are acting to find and remove them wherever possible.
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- May/30/22 11:04:35 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I thank the member for her concern over the Canadian Coast Guard, which is a very effective and proud part of this department. It is the 60th anniversary of the Coast Guard, and that is something worth celebrating.
As to details about the Coast Guard funding, we are happy to provide them should the member provide us a written question.
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- May/30/22 11:06:12 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I appreciate the member's enthusiasm for the volunteers of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, which I share. The work that these volunteers do with local partners is very important.
Canada's oceans protection plan includes funding that will allow us to support and strengthen this initiative.
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- May/30/22 11:41:36 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, we have renewed the BCSRIF program. That is an ongoing set of funding to do restoration.
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- May/31/22 12:13:17 a.m.
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Mr. Chair, we have spent over $600 million, in addition to the annual funding for harbours, to do exactly that. I am not aware that French Creek harbour has made a request, but that individual case can be looked into.
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