By unanimous consent, Ernie Klassen moved, — That, pursuant to the order of reference from the House dated Thursday, February 26, 2026, the committee invite the Minister of Fisheries for one hour and the department officials to appear for the second hour of the meeting regarding the Main Estimates 2026-27, and that this meeting take place no later than Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to the order of reference from the House dated Thursday, February 26, 2026, the committee invite the Minister of Fisheries and the department officials to appear for two hours regarding the Main Estimates 2026-27, and that this meeting take place no later than Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

Mel Arnold moved, — That the committee report to the House its deep disappointment that the Minister of Fisheries has failed to appear before the committee as requested for its study on marine and coastal protections; that despite the committee’s request being transmitted on four separate occasions, the Minister has declined to make herself available prior to the completion of the study; and that the committee express its serious concern regarding the Minister’s failure to respect the will of the committee and its request for her to appear.

Debate arose thereon.

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

YEAS: Mel Arnold, Maxime Blanchette-Joncas, Aaron Gunn, Rob Morrison, Clifford Small — 5;

NAYS: Serge Cormier, Ernie Klassen, Annie Koutrakis, Robert Morrissey — 4.

It was agreed, — That the Chair, clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $26,200, for the study on Atlantic mackerel and Atlantic herring fisheries, be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $18,250, for the study of recreational and traditional fishing for softshell clam (Mya arenaria), be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $28,200, for the study of the factors determining opening and closing dates of marine harvesting seasons, be adopted.

Céline Gaudet made a statement and, with Bernard Vigneault, and Todd Williams, answered questions.

At 12:58 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 1:04 p.m., the meeting resumed in camera.

The committee resumed consideration of a draft report.

It was agreed, — That the draft report be adopted.

It was agreed, — That the report be entitled: "Equal Opportunities for Coastal Communities: Attribution of Redfish Quotas and Exploratory Lobster Fishing Licenses".

It was agreed, — That the Chair, clerk and analysts be authorized to make such grammatical and editorial changes as may be necessary without changing the substance of the report.

It was agreed, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report.

ORDERED, — That the Chair present the report to the House.

It was agreed, — That dissenting or supplementary opinions be in Calibri 12-point font, left aligned, line spacing of 1.5, and be submitted electronically, in both official languages, to the clerk of the committee, not later than Wednesday, March 11, 2026.

The committee proceeded to give drafting instructions to the analysts for a draft report