Senator Coyle: Senator Gold, there were many reports tabled two days ago. The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s Report 7 on protecting aquatic species at risk found that delays, knowledge gaps and a bureaucratic approach undermined the government’s ability to protect aquatic species at risk. The report found that Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s approach to protecting aquatic species assessed as being at risk under the Species at Risk Act contributed to significant listing delays and decisions to not list species with commercial value. Furthermore, the audit found that the department did not have enough staff to enforce compliance with legislation aimed at conserving and protecting biodiversity.

Senator Gold, how will the government rectify Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s approach in order to ensure that the biodiversity crisis is taken seriously and aquatic species at risk are protected?