44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 14, 2024 10:00AM
- Jun/14/24 12:19:55 p.m.
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moved:
That, in the opinion of the House, the government should designate the first day in October every year as National Canadian Seafood Day in recognition of the significant contributions of Canada’s fish harvesters and their families from coast to coast to coast, all the processors who help deliver world-class products that are enjoyed domestically and internationally, and all those who work in the seafood industry, which is a vital employment and economic driver in so many coastal communities across Canada.
He said: Madam Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in the House today and introduce Motion No. 111, which would establish a national Canadian seafood day on the first day of October each year.
National Canadian seafood day would recognize and promote the rich and diverse nature of the safe, high-quality and delicious seafood we produce here in Canada. We are long overdue in having one day a year dedicated to this very important industry. Canada is uniquely defined in its extensive network of lakes, rivers and wetlands, as well as its geographical positioning, bordered by three vast oceans: the Atlantic, the Arctic and the Pacific. We are also home to one of the world's largest and most diverse supply of marine and freshwater fish. We have the world's longest coastline, which is home to many coastal communities in Canada. We are also recognized by and proud of our iconic fish and seafood, which are synonymous with taste, quality and sustainability.
If someone is from Quebec, the Atlantic provinces or Northwest Territories, lobster and crab are their most popular product. British Columbia and Nunavut produce salmon and Salmonidae respectively as their number one products. As we move inland, processing takes over. Manitoba and Ontario count frozen fish fillets as their number one seafood product. Even landlocked Saskatchewan last year produced $7.2 million worth of farmed trout.
At the heart of Motion No. 111 lies a profound acknowledgement of the significance of fish and seafood to Canada's society and our blue economy, particularly in many rural, coastal communities. In supporting this motion, we would signal to Canadians our deep appreciation of the people involved in the sector and bring attention to an industry that sustains millions across the country and around the globe.
Our coastal communities depend on Canadian fisheries for jobs and prosperity. This point was illustrated in 2022 when commercial sea and freshwater fisheries landings alone were valued at an impressive $4.8 billion, with aquaculture production contributing an additional $1.3 billion to our nation's economy. The total contribution to GDP from the Canadian seafood industry was more than $9 billion in 2022, a figure that is growing annually.
These figures underscore the substantial economic impact of this industry in providing nutrition and delicious products not only here at home, but also around the world. More than just representing the products we ship abroad, this data represents the bread and butter put on Canadian tables through the hard work of those in this sector.
At home, Canada's fish and seafood industry is composed of a vast network of individuals whose livelihoods depend on factors ranging from climate, weather and ice patterns, to the health of fish stocks and the state of global markets. From fish harvesters navigating the icy waters of the Atlantic to processors meticulously preparing seafood products for markets, over 72,000 Canadians are directly employed with this sector. This includes more than 50,000 individuals in commercial fisheries and more than 20,000 in seafood product preparation and packaging.
Fish and seafood also play a vital role in the economic livelihoods of many indigenous communities. Commercial fishing, subsistence harvesting and processing provide employment opportunities that generate income for indigenous fish harvesters, processors and entrepreneurs. Across our country, hard-working individuals engage in meaningful employment within the sector, sustaining livelihoods along the supply chain and fostering economic growth in communities from coast to coast to coast, while also playing a critical role in ensuring the quality, sustainability and safety of our seafood products.
Beyond those roles, countless others are employed in spin-off industries such as transportation, retail and tourism, all of which are sustained by the demand for sustainable harvested fish and seafood products. The overall economic impact of fish and seafood reverberates far beyond the shores of our coastal communities, extending into urban centres and rural areas alike.
These individuals are the backbone of our fish and seafood industry, and their dedication and resilience deserve to be celebrated and honoured. Canada's position as one of the world's largest exporters of fish and seafood on the global stage is a testament to the quality and competitiveness of our products.
In 2023, our nation's exports of fish and seafood amounted to an impressive $7.6 billion, showcasing the industry's ability to thrive in international markets. In 2023, we sent a whopping $4.9 billion worth of fish and seafood to our largest trading partner, the United States. Our friends to the south of the border love our fresh or processed lobster, fresh crab, salmon, halibut and scallops. The Chinese market is fond of Canadian lobster, cold-water shrimp, fresh crab and frozen clams.
The European Union imports over $400 million worth of tasty Canadian fish and seafood a year, becoming our third biggest importer, and it continues to grow. Rounding out the top Canadian seafood importing jurisdictions last year are Chile, Vietnam, India, Thailand, Norway, Japan, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. We should be proud of the billions of dollars we export annually in fish and seafood, and we are working to expand those markets even further. This past February, we opened Canada's first-ever agriculture and agri-food office in the Indo-Pacific region in Manila. This office will help us make connections in the region and share knowledge that will make our partnerships in food, including seafood, stronger.
With a diverse and delicious array of sustainably harvested products, Canadian seafood is highly sought after in global markets. Canada is proud to be a trusted and reliable trading partner to the world. Canada exports its fish and seafood to 115 countries around the world. These exports not only contribute to Canada's overall economic growth but also strengthen our trade relationships with key partners, and enhance our position in a global marketplace.
Our fish and seafood products matter, as do the livelihoods of those working in the sector. Supporting Motion No. 111 matters. In Canada, we already have a designated Agriculture Day, which we celebrate in February. We also celebrate the Saturday before the first Monday in August as Food Day. Furthermore, the United States celebrates October as National Seafood Month.
By designating a day to celebrate Canada's fish and seafood, we can put a spotlight on this unique and important sector and those who work in it by celebrating their significant role in our economy. As we look forward to potentially celebrating the first annual national Canadian seafood day, let us continue to buy, cook and eat Canadian seafood products. Let us take part in the celebrations, enjoy the catch of the day and try new recipes using Canadian ingredients. Let us seek out exciting products that highlight the diversity of cultures' cuisines that make up our great country. Let us recognize those behind the scenes, our fish harvesters and food entrepreneurs, who are working hard and putting forth their best ideas to solve some of the world's most pressing food security and environmental challenges.
Our hard-working Canadian seafood producers and processors are leaders in innovative technologies, and their products meet the highest standards. That is what makes Canada a trusted supplier around the world for seafood that is both high quality and sustainable. It does not hurt that it is really delicious too.
In supporting Motion No. 111, we have the opportunity to provide national recognition to an industry that not only sustains livelihoods, but drives our economic growth and prosperity. From the rugged shorelines of Newfoundland to the Canadian Arctic archipelago to the pristine waters of British Columbia, the economic impact of this industry is felt in communities large and small. This motion is not merely about saying we support setting a date on the calendar; it is about marking a moment of national acknowledgement for the resilience, innovation and enduring spirit of an industry that is unquestionably Canadian.
By designating the first day of October each year as national Canadian seafood day, we affirm our commitment to honouring the contributions of fish harvesters, processors and all those who labour tirelessly in this industry.
In conclusion, the quality of Canadian fish and seafood is unlike anywhere else in the world. Canada's fish and seafood sector is a vital engine to our economic growth. Let us seize this opportunity to foster a brighter and more prosperous future for all Canadians involved in this sector. Let us celebrate the pride, passion, resiliency and hard work of all those who bring fish and seafood onto the plates of consumers here at home and around the world.
I am incredibly proud to stand here to introduce this motion. I look forward to seeing members' support to realize the vision of celebrating a national Canadian seafood day in the coming years and for generations to come.
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- Jun/14/24 12:32:51 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the reminder. I apologize for that. It was an error.
With respect to the Prime Minister's promise to get open-net fish farms out of the west coast waters, I would specifically highlight that Atlantic salmon is being farmed on the west coast of Canada, which is spreading pathogens and diseases to the surrounding marine ecosystems.
Does the member agree with the importance of getting those fish farms out of the water for good and looking at land-based systems and other ways so that all those who are impacted can participate in sustainable seafood production?
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- Jun/14/24 1:03:44 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, I am pleased to stand here in full support of Motion No. 111, which calls for the designation of the first day of October every year as national Canadian seafood day.
First and foremost, I want to express my sincere gratitude to the hon. member for Malpeque, in Prince Edward Island, for introducing this very important motion. The motion represents more than just a symbolic gesture. It embodies a profound acknowledgement of the cultural heritage and significance of fish and seafood within Canadian society, our culinary traditions, our health and our blue economy.
The cultural and traditional value of fish and seafood in Canada, quite frankly, cannot be overstated. From the serene shores of the Pacific to the rugged, windswept coasts of the Atlantic, and from the icy, pristine waters of the Arctic to the rich, biodiverse expanse of the Great Lakes, fish and seafood are important sources of sustenance and are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric and the spiritual life of Canada.
Fish and seafood have served, and continue to serve, as the tidal pulse of many communities and local economies. They have been central to the social structures and the ceremonial practices of so many communities. From Atlantic lobsters and Arctic char, to Pacific salmon and farmed shellfish, Canadian seafood is both delicious and healthy. I can personally attest to that.
Canada's fish and seafood products are celebrated for their exceptional quality, freshness, variety, nutritional value, sustainability and, most importantly, taste. Therefore, it is unsurprising that our fish and seafood continue to be highly coveted in the global marketplace. In fact, last year alone, Canada exported $7.6 billion worth of fish and seafood to 115 countries around the globe.
The United States continues to be our largest and most important trading partner, accounting for nearly two-thirds of our exports. To put things in perspective, in my province of Nova Scotia, the biggest export by far is seafood; a distant second is tires. So much is dependent on it. By supporting the establishment of the national Canadian seafood day, we are celebrating not only an iconic Canadian industry, but also the enduring connection between Canada's people and the waters.
Further, we recognize that just as our coastal waters connect us physically to the rest of the world, our sustainably harvested fish and seafood products connect us commercially with trading partners near and far. Our trading partners look to us for that exceptional product quality that few can deliver worldwide.
The contribution of Canadians who harvest and process these outstanding products deserves Canada's attention, acknowledgement, appreciation and celebration. In supporting this motion, we can take a step in the right direction. We also embrace a valuable opportunity to educate and promote the value of Canadian fish and seafood products as a nutrient-rich source of food harvested in our waters.
A 2023 Dalhousie University study found that almost 80% of respondents in Canada regularly consume fish and seafood. This is indicative of a strong appetite for fish and seafood products. However, the majority of fish and seafood consumed in Canada is imported. Canada, with its vast and pristine coastlines and waterways, is endowed, no doubt, with an abundance of marine life. Our country is one of the world's largest seafood suppliers, yet much of our premium seafood is exported to satisfy high demand abroad.
Support for Motion No. 111 can also encourage the consumption of local fish and seafood products by Canadians, and support for local harvesters and local coastal economies. We should all be taking advantage of the sustainable products harvested in our waters by our local fish and seafood sector. Motion No. 111 recognizes this.
I do want to take a moment to highlight and promote some of the health benefits of fish and seafood consumption. In particular, fish and seafood offer a treasure-trove of nutrients, offering Canadians a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, high-quality proteins, and essential vitamins such as vitamin D and vitamin B2.
Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly crucial for cardiovascular health, and are known for reducing inflammation and potentially lowering the risk of heart disease. By promoting Canadian fish and seafood, we not only provide Canadians with increased awareness of the merits and benefits of our products, but also point to the nutritional value these products have to offer.
Much of what I talked about speaks to the motion's high value to our personal health and to our communities' health. Beyond health benefits, promoting Canadian fish and seafood supports our efforts to address food sovereignty and security. Food sovereignty involves people's right to healthy and culturally appropriate food produced through ecological, sound and sustainable methods and their right to define their own food and agricultural systems.
By promoting consumption of Canadian fish and seafood, we would be helping to bolster the resilience of food systems, acting locally against global market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. Local sourcing, for example, can reduce the reliance on imported foods, which can be vulnerable to external pressures.
Promoting Canadian fish and seafood can also enhance domestic food security, which is particularly crucial in remote and coastal communities where access to fresh produce and other staples, quite frankly, can be limited. For example, locally sourced seafood can provide a reliable and accessible source of nutrition, helping to reduce dependency on imported goods that may be less fresh and more expensive. In addition, fish and seafood are recognized as having a relatively lower carbon footprint compared to other options.
By promoting Canadian fish and seafood, Canadians would become increasingly aware of the domestic and local options available to them. With this awareness, Canadians could also recognize that choosing to enjoy a locally sourced, delicious and nutritious fish and seafood meal can also contribute to a reduction in the national carbon footprint, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change.
Environmental sustainability is another cornerstone of this initiative. Canadian fisheries are managed with a commitment to sustainability that is recognized and valued worldwide. National Canadian seafood day would provide an excellent platform from which to showcase our sustainable practices and to educate the public about the importance of supporting sustainable managed fisheries. In doing so, we would also be promoting the merits of choosing Canadian seafood sources, under sustainable fisheries management processes, not only for our health and well-being, but also for the health of our oceans.
This is an important motion. It is something to recognize. It is something to embrace. It will educate Canadians, and I am very pleased to have been the seconder of this motion. I look forward to its safe passage.
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- Jun/14/24 1:11:36 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, Conservatives will be supporting this motion. I am a member of Parliament from the west coast and, obviously, seafood, the fisheries and fishing have been part of British Columbia's history from the time it began with the first nations and for the past couple of hundred years with fishers.
It is fine to have a motion, which Conservatives support, on a national seafood day, but it really camouflages, I would say, the inaction of the Liberals, backed by the NDP, on the fisheries front. They are really not getting anything done. They put forward this motion to show what they are doing and say it is a love fest because we all agree about the importance of the fishing industry, but their policies have really been targeted to reduce fishing and the fisheries. They have mismanaged the whole sector.
I have visited different communities where the fishing industry is really important. I have met with industry officials, owner-operators, those trying to make a living, and the frustration is palpable with the Liberal government. They feel that this industry and their livelihoods are under attack. It is a growth industry for the Liberals, but in what sense? While they put $300 million into the industry on the west coast, almost all of it is allocated toward 200 new bureaucrats. They are inflating and building up the bureaucracy and not really making any difference on the ground. They are actually making things worse.
There are different issues that are a big deal and that are having a negative impact. For example, the marine protected areas are basically closing down very significant areas of the coastline to fishing. There have been Order Paper questions on some of the different issues with these marine protected areas, as well as with the southern resident killer whales in the no-transit areas. There have been questions about how many whales go through this area, what times of the year and whether there has been a difference. It is sealing off areas for harvesting and fishing. The Liberals' response has been that it is a good question but they do not know what is going on. Basically, they are implementing their policies willy-nilly and destroying the livelihoods of many British Columbians by their insane and unscientific policies, which are taking significant areas away from fishing.
One of the biggest issues with regard to protecting the fisheries and seeing growth in the industry, on which there is almost unanimous consent, has to do with seals. We need to realize that 97% of unnatural deaths of salmon are not by fishing. That is 3%, but 97% is by seals. A councillor from one of the first nations in my region said that seals are destroying the salmon catch, and there is nothing being done about it. Liberal ministers sit on their hands, not doing anything, and then they blame it on climate change or whatever, when it is just bad policy and bad management of the fisheries.
We need some grown-ups, some adults managing the fisheries. I am looking forward to a Conservative government, which would bring some common sense.
Another issue that is of great importance is that of owner-operators. Conservatives, under the Harper government, made it so that those who operated the boats had to be the owners. It was not just going to be the big corporations.
The Department of Fisheries just seems to be lazy. It would rather deal with two or three big companies than a lot more of the smaller owner-operators who live in the community, provide jobs in the community and actually bring the fish back to the community to get processed. DFO prefers corporations that process the fish on the ships or take it up to Alaska. It is very frustrating for the fishers because they feel that their communities are being undermined by the Liberal-NDP government.
There needs to be some changes. That is what the Conservative Party supports, to put the power back into the owner-operators. Right now, the packaging plants have moved. They have moved to Washington and Alaska. They are not in Canada. They are not in British Columbia because of the Liberal policies. We want to empower the owner-operators, the small business people and the fishers to have the livelihoods that would help the first nations and coastal communities that are dependent on it.
The Liberals and NDP, including the provincial NDP, are at war with the workers. We want to support working-class Canadians.
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