Fisheries and Oceans

The committee met to study clauses 553 to 570 of Bill C-15, which relate to the divestiture of the Freshwater Fish Marketing Corporation (FFMC). Appearing were Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson and department officials Kaili Levesque (Interim Deputy Minister), Todd Williams (Senior Director, Resource Management - Operations), Doug Wentzell (Regional Director General, Maritimes Region), and Niall O'Dea (Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy).

Minister Thompson opened with remarks on budget priorities, market diversification, enforcement, and consultation, but did not address the FFMC divestiture. Under questioning from Conservative MP Mel Arnold, she declined to provide details on the divestiture process, citing commercial confidentiality, and could not say how many bidders received capacity funding or what criteria were used. She confirmed she had been briefed on the FFMC and had met with harvesters. Conservative MP Clifford Small pressed her on the lack of transparency and the FFMC's financial losses, but she repeated that confidentiality prevented further disclosure.

Interim Deputy Minister Kaili Levesque explained that the FFMC, created in 1969 as a monopsony, saw provinces withdraw as harvesters preferred open market access, leading to the divestiture process that began after Manitoba's withdrawal in 2017. She noted that capacity funding grants were offered to all bidders to help with due diligence, but could not disclose the number of bidders or the total amount spent, citing confidentiality. She stated that the preferred bidder was chosen based on criteria including rural, remote, and indigenous access to markets, and that if the deal falls through, next steps would be determined. She disagreed with the suggestion that no information could be provided, offering to explain each clause's policy rationale.

Senior Director Todd Williams said that data from exploratory lobster fishing licences in areas 17, 18, and 19 is being analyzed by science, with a Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat meeting scheduled for February 24 and 27 to review recommendations for phase 2. On mackerel, he confirmed that an advisory committee meeting is set for three weeks and that harvesters' observations are part of collaborative science, but he could not specify what data the minister referenced as having been submitted by industry. He noted that science looks at landings, catch per unit effort, and other indicators, and that mackerel are appearing in new areas.

Regional Director General Doug Wentzell confirmed that fishery officers uphold licence conditions and regulations, and that possession of egg-bearing female lobsters would be illegal under the Fisheries Act. He agreed to provide the committee with confirmation of licence conditions for commercial, food and ceremonial, and moderate livelihood fisheries. He noted that the whale-safe fishing gear strategy is being finalized, informed by consultations with associations.

Senior Assistant Deputy Minister Niall O'Dea stated that the full spectrum of divestiture possibilities, including splitting up the FFMC, was considered before proceeding with the current bid process.

The committee also heard exchanges on other topics. On the Quebec fisheries fund, Minister Thompson acknowledged its importance but said funding is in place until March 31, 2026, and would share any changes. Levesque estimated that if renewed, negotiations with Quebec and Treasury Board approval could take about three months. On enforcement, Levesque said that restorative justice tools exist for first nations cases but all cases are sent to the Public Prosecution Service. On Atlantic salmon, she agreed to follow up on a request for fisheries officers to recover bycatch for scientific testing. On snow crab licences in area 12, she said the department is examining the issue and will consider a working group with New Brunswick. On redfish allocations for shrimpers, she said the advisory committee will address recommendations. On northern cod logbook estimates, she said the department will work with harvesters to ensure proper tools. On mackerel, Liberal MP Robert Morrissey gave notice of a motion on fisher input versus science.

No procedural debate, motions, or votes occurred during the meeting.