THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND OCEANS

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS

OTTAWA, Thursday, November 20, 2025
(11)

[English]

The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met this day at 8:31 a.m., in room W110, 1 Wellington St.

Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boudreau, Cuzner, Gerba, Greenwood, Prosper, Ravalia and Surette (7).

Participating in the meeting: Daniele Lafrance, Analyst, Library of Parliament.

The clerk informed the committee of the unavoidable absences of the chair and deputy chair and presided over the election of an acting chair.

The Honourable Senator Cuzner moved that the Honourable Senator Ravalia be the acting chair.

The question being put on the motion, it was adopted.

The acting chair took the chair

Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the committee began its study of the independence of commercial inshore fisheries in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, and the policies and legislative tools used by the Government of Canada to preserve it, such as the Owner-Operator Policy.

WITNESSES:

Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters' Federation:

Melanie Sonnenberg, President.

Maritime Fishermen's Union:

Ruth Inniss, Fisheries Advisor;

Carl Allen, Vice President.

Melanie Sonnenberg and Ruth Inniss each made a statement and, together with Carl Allen, answered questions.

At 10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.

ATTEST:

Melissa Doyle

Clerk of the Committee