FOPO Committee Meeting

The Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met in camera at 8:51 a.m. this day, in Room 269, West Block, the Chair, Rodney Weston, presiding.

The Chair presented the Third Report from the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure which read as follows:

Your Subcommittee met on Thursday, October 7, 2010, to consider the business of the Committee and agreed to make the following recommendations:

1. That the Committee proceed with the work plan outlined below in order of priority while taking into consideration that modifications to the calendar might arise.

2. That the Committee proceed with the preparation and presentation to the House of a Report outlining its findings and conclusions with regard to its study of the Snow Crab industry in Atlantic Canada and Quebec; that the meetings of October 21st, November 2nd, November 4th, and November 23rd , 2010, be held for this purpose.

3. That the Committee pursue its study of Aquaculture in the Pacific region by receiving a briefing from officials of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans regarding the proposed regulations for British Columbia aquaculture and that this briefing be held on October 26, 2010; that additional hearings be held in Ottawa on October 28, 2010, in order to further study the issue of aquaculture in the Pacific region; that, subject to the approval of the Liaison Committee, the Committee travel to British Columbia and Washington State during the week of November 14, 2010, to visit salmon farming facilities; that the Committee report on its findings and conclusions to the House.

4. That, conditionally to the tabling in the House and referral to the Committee of the Order in Council Appointment of David Bevan to the position of Associate Deputy Minister at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, a meeting be held on November 25, 2010, to study this appointment.

5. That the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans be invited to appear before the Committee in order to provide oversight on the current issues facing the Fisheries and Oceans sector.

It was agreed, — That the Third Report of the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be concurred in.

At 8:55 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:00 a.m., the sitting resumed in public.

Fin Donnelly moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans undertake a study of the Fish Lake/Taseko mine project to determine if the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' response is in keeping with its mandate to prohibit the "harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat" (Section 35(1), Fisheries Act) and the "deposit of a deleterious substance in waters frequented by fish" (Section 36(3), Fisheries Act); that the Minister and relevant officials as well as stakeholder groups be called to testify.

Debate arose thereon.

Mike Allen moved, — That the motion be deferred until after decision by the cabinet has been taken.

At 9:36 a.m., the sitting was suspended.

At 9:47 a.m., the sitting resumed.

The question was put on the motion and it was negatived, by a show of hands: YEAS: 5; NAYS: 6.

The Committee resumed consideration of the motion of Fin Donnelly, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans undertake a study of the Fish Lake/Taseko mine project to determine if the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' response is in keeping with its mandate to prohibit the "harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat" (Section 35(1), Fisheries Act) and the "deposit of a deleterious substance in waters frequented by fish" (Section 36(3), Fisheries Act); that the Minister and relevant officials as well as stakeholder groups be called to testify.

Raynald Blais moved, — That the motion be amended by replacing the words “undertake a study” with the words “holding a two (2) hour hearing”.

Debate arose thereon.

Mike Allen moved, — That the amendment be amended by adding after the word “hearing” the following: “,the scope and witnesses being determined by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure,”.

After debate, the question was put on the subamendment of Mike Allen and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

The question was put on the amendment of Raynald Blais and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

The question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to, by a show of hands: YEAS: 11; NAYS: 0.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108 (2), the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans hold a two (2) hour hearing, the scope and witnesses being determined by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, of the Fish Lake/Taseko mine project to determine if the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' response is in keeping with its mandate to prohibit the "harmful alteration, disruption or destruction of fish habitat" (Section 35(1), Fisheries Act) and the "deposit of a deleterious substance in waters frequented by fish" (Section 36(3), Fisheries Act); that the Minister and relevant officials as well as stakeholder groups be called to testify.

At 10:43 a.m., the Committee adjourned to the call of the Chair.