44th Parl. 1st Sess.
May 30, 2022 11:00AM
- May/30/22 2:23:32 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, we understand, as all Canadians do, that inflation is a global phenomenon. However, we also understand that this is making life difficult for Canadian families, and that is why our government has taken action.
Our budget includes practical measures, such as dental care for Canadians, a one-time payment of $500 for people who are facing housing affordability challenges, and the introduction of a multi-generational home renovation tax credit.
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- May/30/22 3:06:59 p.m.
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Mr. Speaker, let me tell you what we are doing in budget 2022 for small businesses. We are cutting their taxes. We know that businesses in Canada have recovered over 100% of the jobs that have been lost since the pandemic. Businesses are looking to grow. They are not only looking to grow in Canada, but they are looking to grow through exports into the international market. We are going to work with our businesses to grow here and to scale up internationally, and we have cut their taxes so that they can grow here in Canada.
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- May/30/22 8:14:04 p.m.
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Madam Chair, I do find this line of questioning a bit rich, when the previous government cut the department's budget significantly.
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- May/30/22 8:14:24 p.m.
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Madam Chair, under the current government, the science budget for the fisheries side of DFO, which is the side that deals with stock management, has declined by 3%, while the environmental ocean side has seen its science budget increase by 65%
Is this why 80% of stocks in the critical zone do not have a recovery plan?
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- 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 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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- May/30/22 9:03:28 p.m.
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Madam Chair, there are many factors contributing to the decline of wild salmon, but it is indisputable that open-net salmon farming is having a detrimental impact on our wild salmon.
The government has promised to take action in its past three mandate letters. Why are we not seeing real funding being committed in this year's budget?
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- May/30/22 9:08:07 p.m.
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Madam Chair, owner-operator licencing in the Atlantic means independent harvesters and communities benefit from our fishing industry. However, corporate concentration of processing facilities threatens their ability to get a reasonable price for their catch.
How is the minister working to ensure this budget supports independent harvesters and the communities that rely on them?
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- May/30/22 9:37:25 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, we are considering a mark selective fishery. Part of the budget was to increase the supplies needed and the trailers needed for that fishery.
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- 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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- 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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- 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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- May/30/22 10:06:30 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, funding ran out last year, and I see no funding of any kind in budget 2022 to protect western provinces from invasive aquatic species spreading across Canada. Is it correct that there is no funding?
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- May/30/22 11:02:45 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, while we are on the subject of the Coast Guard, I would like to talk about the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary.
The St. Lawrence River is magnificent. It is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, but it is also one of the most complex and perilous to navigate. That is precisely why there are pilots to navigate the St. Lawrence River. Most of the time, it is the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary that keeps people safe in the turbulent waters of the St. Lawrence.
The Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary has a very small budget. Is the minister planning to increase its funding soon, as the Senate committee proposed in its November 2018 report?
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- May/30/22 11:37:28 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, does the minister sign off on DFO's proposed annual budget and estimates before they are tabled in the House?
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- May/30/22 11:37:52 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, the minister does not sign off on the budget for her own department? That is shocking.
How much of DFO's budget for the current fiscal year is determined by cabinet?
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- May/30/22 11:38:11 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, I just want to go back over the previous question. I recommend the budget to the House. I do not sign off on the budget.
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- May/30/22 11:38:25 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, how much of DFO's budget for the current fiscal year is determined by cabinet?
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- May/30/22 11:38:45 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, has the minister reduced or increased the ministry's budget estimates under the direction of the PMO or cabinet?
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- May/30/22 11:39:00 p.m.
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Mr. Chair, during the development of DFO's budget for the current fiscal year, did the minister reduce draft estimates from one DFO branch in order to meet resource requirements from another branch of DFO?
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