Fisheries and Oceans

The committee studied the 2026-27 main estimates for Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO). The minister, Joanne Thompson, appeared alongside deputy minister Paul MacKinnon and six other senior officials.

Minister Thompson highlighted $36.9 million in additional funding for small craft harbours, bringing total investment since 2015 to over $1.5 billion. She emphasized that Canadian seafood is sustainable and ethical, driving over $8 billion in economic activity and 63,000 jobs. She announced renewed fisheries funds for Atlantic Canada, Quebec and British Columbia, to be negotiated with provincial counterparts, and stressed that science-based management and enforcement of owner-operator rules are foundational to the department’s work.

Paul MacKinnon, now at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, updated the committee on the oyster industry crisis in Prince Edward Island, stating that a scientific risk assessment on importing oyster seed should be completed very shortly.

Niall O'Dea explained that shifts in main estimates do not reflect the full balance of science investments, as many programs receive temporary funding through supplementary estimates. He noted that 80% of the department’s personnel budget is allocated to regions and that core capabilities are being maintained, with the renewed fisheries fund intended to support innovation and market diversification.

Joanne Garrah stated that science remains a critical priority and that cuts were focused on winding down activities that had achieved their objectives or had alternative data sources, rather than on core science functions. She acknowledged that the live gene banking program for Atlantic salmon was discontinued because it was no longer meeting its objectives, and she confirmed that in-river monitoring would not see significant changes.

Patrick Amyot said the $1.6-million reduction in small craft harbours grants for disposal was offset by a $1.8-million increase in contributions for disposal and restoration. He committed to providing historical data on the department’s budget growth excluding the Canadian Coast Guard.

Peter Lambertucci reported that conservation and protection is undergoing a digital and business transformation to enhance officer safety and efficiency, including the use of drones, body-worn cameras and vessel monitoring systems. He noted active collaboration with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick on illegal lobster sales and said joint operations are being planned.

Jennifer Saxe stated that the interdepartmental task force on the B.C. salmon aquaculture transition has completed over 120 engagement sessions, but analysis continues and no timeline for a decision has been set.

Mark Waddell acknowledged that the International Pacific Halibut Commission negotiations were challenging, with Canada taking the full 7% reduction while the U.S. allocation remained unchanged. He said the decision factored into the broader bilateral relationship and that industry members participated in the consultations.

The committee adopted a motion to study the Atlantic salmon conservation strategy and another motion to study the impact of tariffs on the fish and seafood sector.