Proceedings of the Standing Senate Committee on
Fisheries and Oceans

Issue 14 - Minutes of Proceedings - November 20, 2014 - Morning Meeting

MONCTON, Thursday, November 20, 2014
(25)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met this day at 7:54 a.m., in the Fundy Room, Crown Plaza Hotel, the chair, the Honourable Fabian Manning, presiding.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Hubley, Lovelace Nicholas, Manning, Meredith, Poirier and Stewart Olsen (6).

Also present: The official reporters of the Senate.

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Monday, December 9, 2013, the committee continued its study on the regulation of aquaculture, current challenges and future prospects for the industry in Canada. (For complete text of the order of reference, see proceedings of the committee, Issue No. 2.)

Pursuant to rule 12-16(1)(d), the committee proceeded in camera to consider a draft agenda (future business).

At 7:57 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 7:58 a.m., the committee resumed in public.

The Honourable Senator Stewart Olsen moved:

That the following special budget application on aquaculture for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015, with adjustments resulting from this meeting and following a final review by the Senate Administration to be overseen by the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure, be approved for submission to the Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration:

SUMMARY OF BUDGET

ACTIVITY 4: Fact-Finding Mission in
St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador $ 90,325

TOTAL $ 90,325

After debate, the question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

At 8:02 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 8:08 a.m., the committee resumed.

WITNESSES:

New Brunswick Department of Agriculture, Aquaculture and Fisheries:

Kimberly Watson, Regional Director, Regional Development Division of St. George;

Katherine Brewer-Dalton, Senior Advisor, Regional Development Division;

Joseph LaBelle, Director, Policy Advocacy and Strategic Projects Branch.

Government of Prince Edward Island:

The Honourable Ron W. MacKinley, MLA for Cornwall—Meadowbank, Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development;

Richard Gallant, Deputy Minister, Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development;

Neil MacNair, Director, Aquaculture Division, Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development.

Atlantic Canada Fish Farmers Association:

Larry Ingalls, Chair, and President, Northern Harvest Sea Farms;

Murray Hill, Regional Manager.

Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance:

Ann Worth, Executive Director;

David Lewis, Shellfish Grower, Business Owner, Board Member, PEI Oyster Growers Group.

Aqua Bounty Canada:

Dawn Runighan, Facility Manager, and President, Prince Edward Island Finfish Association.

Table maricole du Québec:

Sophie Fortier, Coordinator.

NB Professional Shellfish Growers Association:

Martin Mallet, Chair.

Confederation Cove Mussel Co. Ltd:

Stephen Stewart, President.

Ms. Watson, Ms. Brewer-Dalton and Mr. LaBelle made statements and answered questions.

At 8:55 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 9:01 a.m., the committee resumed.

Minister MacKinley, Mr. MacNair and Mr. Gallant made statements and answered questions.

At 9:59 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 10:07 a.m., the committee resumed.

Mr. Hill, Mr. Ingalls, Ms. Worth made statements and, together with Ms. Runighan, answered questions.

At 11:15 a.m., the committee suspended.

At 11:25 a.m., the committee resumed.

Ms. Fortier, Mr. Mallet, Mr. Stewart and Mr. Lewis made statements and, together with Ms. Worth, answered questions.

At 12:31 p.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Maxwell Hollins

Clerk of the Committee