QUESTION PERIOD — Fisheries and Oceans
Seal Harvest
May 28, 2024
My question is for the Government Representative in the Senate.
Senator Gold, on National Seal Products Day and with the recently released report entitled Sealing the Future: A Call to Action, the topic of seals is on the minds of many Canadians, especially those in my province of Newfoundland and Labrador.
Just a few days ago, the provincial Minister of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture, Elvis Loveless, said he is open to exploring more market opportunities for this vital resource. How is the federal government going to support my province in that endeavour?
Thank you for the question and for the excellent work done by the committee. The government looks forward to engaging with the ideas and recommendations in the report.
It is the position of this government that any actions taken to control the seal population must be done with social and economic objectives in mind. That having been said, my understanding is that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, or DFO, and the Canadian Coast Guard are exploring opportunities with stakeholders and partners, including other government departments and agencies — and, of course, stakeholders in your and other coastal provinces — to further develop the market for Canadian seal products while continuing to advance its scientific research on seals at the same time.
Senator Gold, there are a number of Indo‑Pacific markets where there are no unreasonable and prejudicial bans on seal products. What is the federal government doing to promote Canadian seal products in those markets?
Thank you for the question, senator. As I mentioned — and I will repeat — the department continues to explore opportunities to work with stakeholders to further develop the market internationally for Canadian seal products and advance its existing research on seals.
