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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
Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 8:53:46 p.m.
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Madam Chair, the decision was based on research conducted by the department.
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Mrs. Caroline Desbiens
  • May/30/22 8:53:56 p.m.
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Madam Chair, what are the minister's thoughts on the public statement by her colleague, the Minister of National Revenue and member for Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, who, on April 12, told a local Gaspé media outlet I will not name that she condemned the closure, which she even called unacceptable? Who is right: the minister or her colleague from Gaspésie—Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 8:54:19 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I just want to say I too feel that disappointment when I have to close a fishery, but it is for the long-term good of fishers, communities and fish stocks.
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Mrs. Caroline Desbiens
  • May/30/22 8:54:34 p.m.
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Madam Chair, does Fisheries and Oceans Canada's science branch include sociologists and economists who participate in the decision-making process?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 8:54:49 p.m.
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Madam Chair, yes, several experts discussed these decisions.
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Mrs. Caroline Desbiens
  • May/30/22 8:54:56 p.m.
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Madam Chair, are they sociologists, economists or essentially scientists who are more specialized in biodiversity?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 8:55:06 p.m.
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Madam Chair, there is a wide range of experts and it depends on the situation, the fish stocks and what data needs to be collected.
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Mrs. Caroline Desbiens
  • May/30/22 8:55:23 p.m.
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Madam Chair, in closing on this subject, what can the fishers hope for as they listen to us today from the Gaspé knowing they have no more work? Given that the fishers who depend on the herring and mackerel fisheries will have nothing to eat tomorrow, what can they hope for from the minister and her department as we speak in the House right now?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 8:55:50 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we have Service Canada programs and the provinces have programs to help people who are facing hardship. We will always try to create opportunities for fishers, but we cannot do that—
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The Deputy Chair
  • May/30/22 8:56:15 p.m.
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The hon. member.
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Mrs. Caroline Desbiens
  • May/30/22 8:56:18 p.m.
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Madam Chair, what role does local knowledge play in the decisions made by Fisheries and Oceans Canada? Is there a place in all this for the local people, the fishers, their views and their observations? They are the ones out there doing the work. What role does the minister think this local knowledge plays?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 8:56:40 p.m.
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Madam Chair, we have advisory committees for each fishery, and we always listen to fishers and people who have information about the fisheries.
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Mrs. Caroline Desbiens
  • May/30/22 8:57:01 p.m.
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Madam Chair, my last question has to do with capelin. I had to intervene seven times. I had to reach out seven times to make the department listen to two small-scale capelin weir fishers and understand that they were not negatively affecting the resource, even though the fishers themselves had sent numerous letters and emails without ever receiving a response. Their MP had to intervene seven times to get the suspension lifted at the end of the month. Can the minister explain why the department is not doing more to listen to people on the ground when it matters?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 8:57:39 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I am happy to say we heard the member of Parliament and we took action. We had a discussion with all of the stakeholders on the capelin fishery. That fishery started five days ahead of planned, and we are now considering the April 1 opening date that the member and the two weir fishers have requested. I think the department and I have been very responsive, and I am happy to have done that.
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Ms. Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo—Ladysmith, NDP)
  • May/30/22 8:58:13 p.m.
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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?
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Hon. Joyce Murray (Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Lib.)
  • May/30/22 8:59:18 p.m.
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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.
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Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 8:59:50 p.m.
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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?
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Hon. Joyce Murray
  • May/30/22 9:00:07 p.m.
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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—
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The Deputy Chair
  • May/30/22 9:00:24 p.m.
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The hon. member.
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Ms. Lisa Marie Barron
  • May/30/22 9:00:28 p.m.
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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?
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