FOPO meeting 25 · 2026-02-25 — Committee Evidence — LegisWatch

Summary

The committee met to study marine and coastal protections. Appearing were Kathy Graham, Brett Gilchrist and Anna Classen from Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Marie-Eve Neron from Environment and Climate Change Canada; and David Millar and Lori Macadam from Parks Canada Agency.

Kathy Graham said DFO heard the fishing industry's concerns about trust and economic impacts and is working to improve engagement. She argued that marine protected areas (MPAs) support long-term prosperity by safeguarding ecosystems and fish stocks, and that most existing MPAs have had minimal impact on fisheries. She acknowledged that four of 14 MPAs prohibit all fishing, correcting a prior statement, and agreed to provide in writing details on conservation objectives and where indigenous harvests are limited.

Marie-Eve Neron described Environment and Climate Change Canada's role in establishing marine national wildlife areas, noting the Scott Islands site took over 20 years to create. She said the department is in a feasibility phase for a proposed site near Haida Gwaii, with an advisory committee reviewing ecological and socio-economic data, and that a draft regulation is targeted for 2028. She did not address other witnesses' testimony.

David Millar said national marine conservation areas are not no-take zones and can allow commercial and recreational fishing, citing Gwaii Haanas as an example where industry supported the management plan. He emphasized that Parks Canada works with partners from the start to balance conservation with socio-economic interests, and that these areas can create tourism and economic diversification for coastal communities.

Brett Gilchrist said DFO engages fish harvesters early to understand potential impacts and explore solutions like alternative gear, and that boundaries and measures are adjusted based on feedback. He noted that stock assessments and modelling may not always align with harvesters' on-the-ground knowledge, requiring iterative dialogue. He did not directly address calls to reopen closed areas to cod fishing.

Anna Classen said on the west coast, DFO is considering a handful of potential MPA sites and that a draft network plan was revised after industry input, so full closures of 30% of the northern shelf bioregion will not occur. She said DFO has held workshops with industry since March 2024 to discuss data and next steps, and that communication with harvesters is being improved.

Lori Macadam said Parks Canada's sites have shown positive outcomes, such as beluga recovery in the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park and eelgrass regrowth in Gwaii Haanas. She noted that a proposed NMCA off Newfoundland's south coast was initiated by the community of Burgeo, and that only 5% of the area would have restricted fishing, but the FFAW only met with Parks Canada three times despite repeated outreach.

The committee debated a motion to again invite the Minister of Fisheries to appear, with some members arguing she has not responded to three requests and others noting she has appeared multiple times. The motion was not put to a vote during the meeting. A notice of motion was also tabled for a future study on Atlantic salmon decline, focusing on striped bass and seal predation.

AI-generated summary — may contain errors; verify against the official evidence.

Witnesses · 6

Kathy Graham

Director General, Marine Planning and Conservation, Department of Fisheries and Oceans

Opening remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chair and committee members, for the opportunity to speak to this committee once again. I want to acknowledge that I am joining you from the traditional territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin people. Since my last appearance, my colleagues and I have listened carefully to the compelling testimonies from the witnesses called before this committee. I have since met with several partners and stakeholders from across the country. We hear the fishing industry loud and clear. We need to strengthen trust in our process and more closely work together to better understand and address potential economic impacts. We've heard fish harvesters express these concerns, while also reaffirming their commitment to protecting fish stocks so that future generations can continue this way of life. Fishing is a vital part of Canada's history, identity and economy, and it will remain central to our future. We look forward to continuing to work with all partners and stakeholders to find the best path forward, one that supports conservation goals alongside sustainable, prosperous fisheries. I look forward to guidance from this committee on how best to advance this goal, and I thank you, Mr.…

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Marie-Eve Neron

Director General, Protected Areas Directorate, Department of the Environment

Opening remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the committee. Let me begin by acknowledging that we are gathered on the traditional territory of the Anishinabe Algonquin nation, who have a relationship with this land stretching back at least 10,000 years. The mission of the Canadian wildlife service is to achieve nature conservation outcomes for wildlife, habitats and the ecosystems of which they are a part, with a particular focus on migratory birds and species at risk. This includes establishing and managing protected areas in marine and coastal areas across Canada's three oceans. Coastal areas and offshore islands provide important nesting habitats, while ocean waters provide crucial foraging habitat for marine birds. The Canadian wildlife service manages just over 150,000 square kilometres of land, coastline and water with high biodiversity value. Our marine network includes one wholly marine national wildlife area, 10 national wildlife areas and 44 migratory bird sanctuaries that have both coastal and marine components. Currently, Environment and Climate Change Canada contributes 0.54% towards Canada's marine conservation targets. The national wildlife areas are managed through the…

David Millar

Vice-President, Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation, Parks Canada Agency

Opening remarks

Thank you, Mr. Chair, for the opportunity to discuss the contribution of Parks Canada's national marine conservation areas program to marine and coastal protections in Canada. National marine conservation areas, or NMCAs, are one of several of Parks Canada's protected area programs focused on the conservation, management and visitor use of nationally significant examples of lands, waters and ice. We're a coastal nation, and Canadians take great pride in these natural environments. NMCAs specifically play a vital role in conserving biodiversity and culturally significant places. In addition to supporting sustainable fisheries and industry, they create opportunities for tourism and recreation and bring economic diversity through new investment and economic activity to coastal communities. They allow Canadians to connect with oceans and places that are cornerstones of this country. Parks Canada’s sites help diversify and invest in the economy of rural, northern and urban communities by creating approximately 40,000 jobs across Canada. The 24 million visitors to these places spend approximately $4.5 billion annually in surrounding communities—as an example, visitors to Saguenay-St.…

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Fisheries and Oceans

Summary

Witnesses · 6

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