On motion of Robert J. Morrissey, it was agreed, — That Patrick Weiler be elected Chair of the committee.

At 3:32 p.m., Patrick Weiler took the Chair.

On motion of Clifford Small, it was agreed, — That Mel Arnold be elected First Vice-Chair of the committee.

On motion of Serge Cormier, it was agreed, — That Alexis Deschênes be elected Second Vice-Chair of the committee.

By unanimous consent, the committee agreed to adopt the following motions severally:

It was agreed, — That the committee retain, as needed and at the discretion of the Chair, the services of one or more analysts from the Library of Parliament to assist it in its work.

It was agreed, — That the Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure be established and be composed of four members; the Chair and one member from each recognized party, as designated by each party’s whip; and that the subcommittee work in a spirit of collaboration.

It was agreed, — That the Chair be authorized to hold meetings to receive evidence and to have that evidence published when a quorum is not present, provided that at least four members are present, including two members of the opposition parties and two members of the government party.

It was agreed, — That, when travelling outside the Parliamentary Precinct: (a) the meeting begin after 15 minutes, regardless of whether quorum is present, (b) no substantive motion may be moved during such meetings.

It was agreed, — That witnesses be given five (5) minutes for their opening statements; that whenever possible, witnesses provide the committee with their opening statements 72 hours in advance; that, at the discretion of the Chair, during the questioning of witnesses, there be allocated six (6) minutes for the first questioner of each party as follows:

First Round:
• Conservative Party
• Liberal Party
• Bloc Québécois

It was agreed, — That only the clerk of the committee be authorized to distribute documents to members of the committee and only when the documents are in both official languages; and that all documents submitted to the committee in both official languages, that do not come from a federal department, members’ offices, or that have not been translated by the Translation Bureau, be sent for linguistic review by the Translation Bureau before being distributed to members, and that the witnesses be advised accordingly.

It was agreed, — That the clerk of the committee, at the discretion of the Chair, be authorized to make the necessary arrangements to provide working meals for the committee and its subcommittees.

It was agreed, — That, if requested, reasonable travel, accommodation and living expenses be reimbursed to witnesses not exceeding two representatives per organization; and that in exceptional circumstances, payment for more representatives be made at the discretion of the Chair.

It was agreed, — That, unless otherwise ordered, each committee member be allowed to be accompanied by one staff member at in camera meetings and that one additional person from each House officers’ office be allowed to be present.

It was agreed, — That, during in camera meetings, committee members may be informed by the committee Chair of the MPs who have been designated as substitutes for permanent members, in order to know which MPs are authorized to speak and vote during these committee meetings. That only those who have been recognized and identified as such be authorized to speak, in keeping with the usual agreed rules of order and decorum.

It was agreed, — That one copy of the transcript of each in-camera meeting be securely retained by the committee clerk for consultation by members of the committee or by their staff; and that the analysts assigned to the committee have access to the in-camera transcript.

It was agreed, — That a 48-hour notice, interpreted as two nights, be required for any substantive motion to be moved in committee, unless the substantive motion relates directly to business then under consideration, provided that:

a) the notice be filed with the clerk of the committee no later than 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, and no later than 2:30 p.m. on Friday;

b) the motion be distributed to Members and the offices of the whips of each recognized party in both official languages by the clerk on the same day the said notice was transmitted if it was received no later than the deadline hour;

(c) notices received after the deadline hour or on non-business days be deemed to have been received during the next business day.

It was agreed, — That in relation to orders of reference from the House respecting Bills,

(a) The clerk of the committee shall, upon the committee receiving such an order of reference, write to each member who is not a member of a caucus represented on the committee to invite those members to file with the clerk of the committee, in both official languages, any amendments to the bill, which is the subject of the said Order, which they would suggest that the committee consider;

(b) Suggested amendments filed, pursuant to paragraph (a), at least 48 hours prior to the start of clause-by-clause consideration of the bill to which the amendments relate shall be deemed to be proposed during the said consideration, provided that the committee may, by motion, vary this deadline in respect of a given bill; and

It was agreed, — That the clerk inform each witness who is to appear before the committee that the House Administration support team must conduct technical tests to check the connectivity and the equipment used to ensure the best possible sound quality; and that the Chair advise the committee, at the start of each meeting, of any witness who did not perform the required technical tests.

It was agreed, — That the clerk of the committee be authorized to grant access to the committee's digital binder to the offices of the whips of each recognized party.

It was agreed, — That, during meetings, the Chair, if necessary, uses his prerogative to suspend the meeting to maintain the order and decorum necessary to ensure the application of the House of Commons’ policies on workplace health and safety.

Mel Arnold moved, — That, given that committee members, staff, the clerk, analysts, and witnesses worked hard to produce the report entitled “Challenges to the Sustainability of the Yukon Salmon Stocks” during the first session of the 44^th Parliament, and given that the Government did not table a response because of the prorogation of Parliament, the committee deem that it has undertaken and completed a study on “Challenges to the Sustainability of the Yukon Salmon Stocks” pursuant to Standing Order 108, and that it adopt that report as a report from this committee pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee request the government to table a comprehensive response to the report; supplementary or dissenting reports that accompanied the report in the previous session of Parliament be tabled with the main report; and the Chair present the report to the House.

Debate arose thereon.

At 3:40 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 3:43 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued.

At 3:48 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 3:54 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Alexis Deschênes gave notice of the following motion:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resume its study of the scales used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to set redfish fishing quotas, and that the testimony and documents gathered by the Committee during the 1st session of the 44th Parliament concerning the study be taken into consideration by the Committee during the current session; and

that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of the process for allocating fishing rights, covering both the example of redfish quotas in 2024 and that of exploratory lobster fishing licences in 2024 and 2025; that the Committee call 11 witnesses and set aside 5 hours to study the process for allocating exploratory lobster fishing licences; and that the Committee then set aside 4 meetings to complete the study and draft the report.

At 3:59 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:05 p.m., the meeting resumed.

Robert J. Morrissey moved, — That,

a) the committee recognizes that,
(i)   abandoned and derelict vessels are a scourge on our coastlines,
(ii)  Canadians on all coasts are looking for a solution to the issues caused by abandoned vessels,
(iii) this committee had completed a study on derelict and abandoned vessels and was in the drafting stage on a report on derelict and abandoned vessels in Canada during the 44th parliament;

b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a study on derelict and abandoned vessels in Canada;

c) the evidence and documentation received by the committee during the 1st session of the 44th Parliament on the subject be taken into consideration by the committee in the current session;

d) the committee agree to bring forward the draft report and instructions to committee staff on derelict and abandoned vessels it had begun in the 44th Parliament so that the committee can complete the vital work on this matter;

e) after completion of this study, the committee reports its findings and recommendations to the House; and

Debate arose thereon.

At 4:08 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:11 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The debate continued.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Mel Arnold gave notice of the following motion:

That, given that the 45th Parliament has begun and Canadian fisheries are at a crucial moment, pursuant to Standing Order 108, the committee invite the Minister of Fisheries to testify before the committee for no less than two hours, and her department officials for one hour, no later than September 26, 2025.

Mel Arnold moved, — That the committee proceed to the consideration of matters related to committee business.

At 4:15 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:18 p.m., the meeting resumed.

The question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Robert J. Morrissey moved, — That whereas a modern Fisheries Act is essential to a robust, well managed fishery; it is mandatory for the Fisheries Act to be reviewed every five years; this committee engaged in vital work toward updating the Fisheries Act, including hearing testimony from harvesters in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, Indigenous leaders, and key industries whose growth will help build a strong Canadian economy; dozens of written statements were submitted to the committee on vital changes needed in the Fisheries Act; pursuant to Standing Order 108(2)(a), the committee agree to bring forward the work completed on the review of the Fisheries Act during the first session of the 44th Parliament, including testimony and written submissions, and resume its statutory review of the Fisheries Act; furthermore, the committee shall allot no fewer than five additional two hour meetings to this study; furthermore, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee asks that the government provide a comprehensive response to its report.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Mel Arnold moved, — That the committee invite the Minister of Fisheries to testify before the committee for no less than two hours, and her department officials for one hour, no later than September 26, 2025.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Serge Cormier moved, — That pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the committee undertake a five meeting study on the need for training and financial support for the next generation of fishers given the challenges they face entering into the field given the high cost of licenses and equipment and that the committee issue a report upon the completion of its work; that witnesses include young fish harvesters and aspiring young fish harvesters; that witnesses include representatives from the fish harvesting industry and fish harvester unions; that witnesses come from a wide variety of regional and linguistic backgrounds, including indigenous representation; furthermore, pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee asks that the government provide a comprehensive response to its report.

At 4:37 p.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 4:44 p.m., the meeting resumed.

After debate, the question was put on the motion and it was agreed to.

Alexis Deschênes moved, — That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resume its study of the scales used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to set redfish fishing quotas, and that the testimony and documents gathered by the Committee during the 1st session of the 44th Parliament concerning the study be taken into consideration by the Committee during the current session; and

that, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study of the process for allocating fishing rights, covering both the example of redfish quotas in 2024 and that of exploratory lobster fishing licences in 2024 and 2025; that the Committee call 11 witnesses and set aside five hours to study the process for allocating exploratory lobster fishing licences; and that the Committee then set aside four meetings to complete the study and draft the report.

Debate arose thereon.

After debate, the question was put on the motion, as amended, and it was agreed to.

The motion, as amended, read as follows:

That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee resume its study of the scales used by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to set redfish fishing quotas, and that the testimony and documents gathered by the Committee during the 1st session of the 44th Parliament concerning the study be taken into consideration by the Committee during the current session; and