November 15th 2016 - Study on the federal government's policy framework for managing Canada's fisheries and oceans - Fisheries and Oceans Canada & Canadian Coast Guard

Senator Poirier: I have three questions on three different subjects. The first question concerns the consultations for the next budget, which should be starting soon. According to an independent report, the Coast Guard fleet is virtually valueless or has depreciated significantly. Do you plan to ask the Minister of Finance to increase funding for the Coast Guard in the next budget?

Mr. LeBlanc: The answer is yes, but I'll be careful. Maybe the Commissioner has something to add. A week ago, an additional $1.5 billion was announced for the oceans protection plan. A large part or the majority of that amount will be targeted toward improving the Coast Guard's capacity.

As I said earlier, investments have also been made in keeping with the national shipbuilding strategy that was launched by the former government and that we fully support. We found that it was a good project. The marine construction plans include other Coast Guard ships.

I completely understand what you're saying. In recent years, the Coast Guard has suffered from a lack of operational funding. It has often been forced to use funding that should have been allocated to extend the life of certain ships or repair certain boats. Some Coast Guard assets had to be used for operational purposes as a result of a lack of funding. The budget was quite significantly reduced.

We'll try to make up for lost ground. I'm not saying the project will be included in the next budget, although both the Minister of Finance and the Prime Minister are aware of the Coast Guard's needs. That's why the Prime Minister himself wanted to announce the oceans protection plan in Vancouver on Monday. As a result, he had the opportunity to enjoy some time on the Sir Wilfrid Laurier ship.

Senator Poirier: As you know, we're currently conducting a study on the Coast Guard.

Another subject affects you more personally. As you know, Atlantic salmon is very important to the people back home, for tourism purposes and for our economy and identity. Can you share your short- and medium-term plans to increase the Atlantic salmon populations? Moreover, will you continue to catch and release fish, or will you implement other measures?

Mr. LeBlanc: As you clearly indicated, Senator Poirier, Atlantic salmon is extremely important not only in our province — back home, as you said — but around the world. It's a source of economic activity for our province and for other regions of Canada. A bit like aquaculture, it creates jobs and economic activity in certain regions that often don't have any other jobs or economic activity. I know there is pressure internationally regarding the Atlantic salmon.

With respect to the issue of allowing the retention of salmon caught in certain rivers, in this case, as you know, changes have been made in recent years to limit retention. Scientific studies have confirmed the need to better protect the species. I spoke this week with my senior staff to gain a better understanding of our projects for next year. We talked about it this afternoon before coming to your meeting. We'll continue to look at the file. Some people would like the changes to be reviewed. For the moment, I'm not ready to comment on the matter and to say that we could come up with different measures. However, I remain open to receiving scientific advice that will help me make further decisions.

Senator Poirier: You have been the minister responsible for the file for almost six months. In the past six months, have you been able to identify priorities or concerns that affect New Brunswick and that we should be aware of?

Mr. LeBlanc: That's a good question, Senator Poirier.

For the committee members who are unfamiliar with New Brunswick's geography — Senators Munson, Hubley and Stewart Olsen are familiar with it — Senator Poirier and I both live in Kent County, in the same constituency. Senator Poirier lives in the north part of the county, and I live in the south part. However, both of us can see the Northumberland Strait from our houses.

I'm very aware of the need to use the economic driver capacities of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Coast Guard for our province. However, pressure is coming from across the country. We must therefore make decisions based on scientific advice and on environmental protection and sustainable development principles.

That said, last week, the deputy minister and I had the chance to meet with Gulf Region employees, in Moncton, during the 35th anniversary of their building on University Avenue. We talked with the employees a bit about our ideas regarding the development of a concept for a science centre that would be more open to the public and that could be established in the region and on the West Coast. The idea is still in its early stages. However, if we can carry out the project, it could be quite a good opportunity for the people in our province.

I was pleased to support the decision of my predecessor, Mr. Tootoo, to increase the lobster size. The fishers back home had been requesting the size increase for a long time. I'm sure the Maritime Fishermen's Union and other stakeholders had been right all along. It's a way to support a responsible request on their part, not only for economic survival purposes, but also for conservation purposes.

I'll continue in this direction. If you have any ideas, my door is always open.

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