THE STANDING SENATE COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND OCEANS
MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS
OTTAWA, Thursday, March 12, 2026
(19)
[English]
The Standing Senate Committee on Fisheries and Oceans met this day at 8:30 a.m., in room W110, 1 Wellington St., the chair, the Honourable Fabian Manning, presiding.
Members of the committee present: The Honourable Senators Boudreau, Busson, Deacon (Nova Scotia), Dhillon, Gerba, Manning, Prosper, Ravalia and Surette (9).
Other senators present: The Honourable Senator Aucoin (1).
Participating in the meeting: Daniele Lafrance, Analyst, Library of Parliament.
Pursuant to the order of reference adopted by the Senate on Thursday, October 2, 2025, the committee continued its study of issues relating to the federal government’s current and evolving policy framework for managing Canada’s fisheries and oceans, including maritime safety.
APPEARING:
The Honourable Joanne Thompson, P.C., M.P., Minister of Fisheries.
WITNESSES:
Fisheries and Oceans Canada:
Kaili Levesque, Interim Deputy Minister;
Niall O'Dea, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Strategic Policy;
Patrick Amyot, Chief Financial Officer;
Adam Burns, Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Harbour Management;
Jennifer Saxe, Assistant Deputy Minister, Aquatic Ecosystems;
Bernard Vigneault, Director General, Ecosystems Science.
The minister made a statement and, together with Kaili Levesque, answered questions.
At 9:31 a.m., the committee suspended.
At 9:35 a.m., the committee resumed.
Kaili Levesque, Niall O'Dea, Patrick Amyot, Adam Burns, Jennifer Saxe and Bernard Vigneault answered questions.
At 10 a.m., the committee adjourned to the call of the chair.
ATTEST:
Melissa Doyle
Clerk of the Committee