The witnesses made statements and answered questions.

Clifford Small moved, — That,

(a) considering the concerns around the publishing of the report: Four Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Offshore of Nova Scotia: A Description of the Primary Marine Ecosystem Features, Significant and Protected Areas, At-risk and Depleted Species, Fish and Fisheries, Science Surveys, and Other Human Uses that May Occur In and Around the French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank, and Sydney Bight Areas (Report) in the Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 3312;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a), the Department of Fisheries and Oceans be ordered to provide to the committee, within 30 days of the adoption of this motion, the following:

(i) all documents, including but not limited to memoranda, briefing notes, and internal communications, related to the decision to produce this report, including any requests for its preparation and associated allocation of resources,

(ii) all documents related to the timing of the report’s public release, including any correspondence or briefings concerning its publication in relation to announcements on offshore wind development for the Scotian Shelf,

(iii) all documents relating to internal review processes for the report, including any peer review, inter-branch consultations, or assessments conducted within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, including Science and Fisheries Management,

(iv) all documents relating to consultations, or lack thereof, with the fishing industry in the preparation of the report,

(v) all documents relating to the omission of Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs), Recovery Potential Assessments (RPAs), or SARA-required recovery strategies in the report,

(vi) all internal communications, records of decision, briefing materials, analyses, and other documents relating to the use of this report in departmental decision-making; and

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to on the following recorded division:

YEAS: Blaine Calkins, Aaron Gunn, Jacob Mantle, Mario Simard, Clifford Small — 5;

NAYS: Paul Connors, Serge Cormier, Ernie Klassen, Robert Morrissey — 4.

ORDERED, — That the clerk inform the Department of Fisheries and Oceans that the committee is sending for a copy of the following, to be provided no later than Friday, May 22, 2026:

(a) all documents, including but not limited to memoranda, briefing notes, and internal communications, related to the decision to produce the report entitled: Four Wind Energy Areas (WEAs) in the Offshore of Nova Scotia: A Description of the Primary Marine Ecosystem Features, Significant and Protected Areas, At-risk and Depleted Species, Fish and Fisheries, Science Surveys, and Other Human Uses that May Occur In and Around the French Bank, Middle Bank, Sable Island Bank, and Sydney Bight Areas (Report), including any requests for its preparation and associated allocation of resources;

(b) all documents related to the timing of the Report’s public release, including any correspondence or briefings concerning its publication in relation to announcements on offshore wind development for the Scotian Shelf;

(c) all documents relating to internal review processes for the Report, including any peer review, inter-branch consultations, or assessments conducted within the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, including Science and Fisheries Management;

(d) all documents relating to consultations, or lack thereof, with the fishing industry in the preparation of the Report;

(e) all documents relating to the omission of Integrated Fisheries Management Plans (IFMPs), Recovery Potential Assessments (RPAs), or SARA-required recovery strategies in the Report; and

(f) all internal communications, records of decision, briefing materials, analyses, and other documents relating to the use of this Report in departmental decision-making.

Questioning of the witnesses resumed.

Aaron Gunn moved, — That,

(a) in the context of the Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan for British Columbia cited by the Minister of Fisheries on Thursday, October 9, 2025, per her testimony during the sixth meeting of the committee: "This summer, ISED led...but we did over 110 engagements on the sector. The report is sitting with ISED. I can tell you that I am looking forward to reading it. We'll make decisions from there.";

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a), the committee send for unredacted copies of documents from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada surrounding the Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan for British Columbia, including:

(i) the Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada report cited by the Minister of Fisheries,

(ii) the transcripts, minutes, and invitation of the 110 engagements with the aquaculture sector regarding the Salmon Aquaculture Transition Plan for British Columbia; and

Debate arose thereon.