Q-1072 , 45th Parliament, 1st session May 26, 2025, to present

With regard to Fisheries and Oceans Canada's publication of the report Four Wind Energy Areas 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, in the Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 3312: (a) why did Fisheries and Oceans Canada issue the production of this report; (b) who requested the report be made; (c) what were the objectives related to producing such a report; (d) what amount of time and human resources were used to generate the report; (e) why was this report not released before the political announcement of Offshore Wind development for the Scotian shelf; (f) why was this report not peer reviewed by other branches within the department, including the Science and Fisheries Management branches; (g) why did the authors use fishing industry data in the report but not consult the fishing industry; (h) why does the report omit analysis of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's Integrated Fisheries Management Plans, Recovery Potential Assessments, or Species at Risk Act required recovery strategies for the variety of species listed as depleted (for example, cod in 4VsW/4Vn, white hake, cusk); and (i) what specific decisions have been made by Fisheries and Oceans Canada where this report was used as a reason or consideration?