Fisheries and Oceans

The committee was studying the main estimates and supplementary estimates (B) for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the minister, Joanne Thompson, appeared alongside officials Patrick Amyot (chief financial officer), Kaili Levesque (interim deputy minister), Peter Lambertucci (national chief enforcement officer) and Jennifer Saxe (assistant deputy minister for aquatic ecosystems).

Minister Thompson defended her decision to more than double the northern cod total allowable catch to 38,000 tonnes, calling assertions of mismanagement "absurd" and noting the stock is at one of its highest levels in decades. She stressed that unauthorized fishing is unacceptable and that enforcement has seized thousands of traps and made arrests, but she declined to direct day-to-day enforcement decisions on the water, saying she leaves that to experts.

Patrick Amyot confirmed that the department does not have a specific figure for how much of the $108-million budget commitment for new seafood and agriproduct markets is dedicated to seal products, and he explained that the $142 million in supplementary estimates (B) for reconciliation agreements is for contribution agreements that will be negotiated once the estimates are approved.

Kaili Levesque stated that the department's work with the Canadian Coast Guard will continue uninterrupted after its transfer to National Defence, and she confirmed that no directives were issued by the minister's office, the deputy minister's office, the Department of Justice or the former prime minister's office to refrain from arresting indigenous fishers. She also said the department is exploring financial and administrative penalties beyond fines to deter repeat violators, and she committed to reviewing a request from the Okanagan Basin Water Board for matching funds on aquatic invasive species detection.

Peter Lambertucci repeatedly stated that "unauthorized is unauthorized" and that no directive exists telling officers not to enforce the law, though he acknowledged that officers use an enforcement continuum that can include education and promotional materials for first contacts, including with indigenous fishers. He said the department has made arrests and has active investigations for unauthorized fishing in both commercial and rights-based fisheries, and he defended requests for in-camera testimony as necessary to protect officers and sensitive information, disagreeing with Clifford Small's characterization that it reflects a lack of trust.

Jennifer Saxe said she was not aware of any plans to cut the Atlantic salmon fishery guardian program but would follow up on the question.

After the witness testimony, the committee proceeded to consider the main estimates and supplementary estimates (B). The chair asked for unanimous consent to move the votes, which was granted, and the votes were reported to the House.