FOPO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met at 11:09 a.m. this day, in Room 362, East Block, the Chair, Gerald Keddy, presiding.

Chief Sidney Douglas, Robert Janes and Lincoln Douglas made statements and, with Mike Staley, answered questions.

At 12:00 p.m. Bill Matthews, the Vice-chair, took the Chair.

Peter Stoffer moved, — That the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans adopt and report to the House of Commons the following motion :

The Committee on Fisheries and Oceans recommends that the Government :

1. Not apply Marine Service Fees on Canadian commercial ships transiting to and from waters north of 60^o based on the socio-economic conditions of the North consistent with the fee exemption established in 1997;

2. That the exemption be applied immediately without any further delay and that the Canadian Coast Guard's cost recovery policy with respect to the North be subject to further review in the development of a national future approach to the Marine Services Fees;

3. Whereas the Marine Service Fees collected by the Canadian Coast Guard on the provision of sealift services to the Eastern Arctic is not consistent with the current exemption based on the socio-economic conditions of the North, specifically the reality that the Eastern Arctic is dependent on re-supply by way of the south given its unique socio-economic conditions;

4. Whereas the peoples across Canada's North including remote communities experience the highest costs of living in Canada; and

5. Whereas the communites and residents of the North maintain and exert Canada's Arctic sovereignty across the Yukon, NorthWest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik and Northern Quebec, and Labrador.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 6; NAYS: 5.

At 1:02 p.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.