It was agreed, — That the proposed budget in the amount of $1,500, for the study of derelict and abandoned vessels, be adopted.

At 8:29 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 8:36 a.m., the meeting resumed.

At 8:43 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 8:50 a.m., the meeting resumed.

It was agreed, — That:

(a) the committee recognizes that,

(i) since 2015, the Government of Canada has accelerated establishment of marine and coastal protections,

(ii) the establishment of marine and coastal protections can impact Canadians and coastal communities that depend on fisheries and marine resources,

(iii) the Government of Canada has committed Canada to establishing protections for 30% of Canada’s marine and coastal areas by 2030;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2),

(i) the Committee undertake a study on how the Government of Canada has established marine and coastal protections since 2015 with particular focus on

(A) how these government initiatives have affected Canadians and coastal communities that depend on fisheries and marine resources;

(B) the government’s methods for measuring whether conservation objectives and reasons for establishing protected areas are achieved;

(C) whether the government’s reasons and objectives for establishing marine and coastal protection are achieved,

(ii) the study be compiled of

(A) one 2-hour meeting with the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries,

(B) one 2-hour meeting with officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Canadian Coast Guard and public scientific experts,

(C) four 2-hour meetings with fish harvesters and with Canadians who depend on fisheries and marine resources,

(iii) the Committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and

At 9:01 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 9:28 a.m., the meeting resumed.

At 9:39 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 9:48 a.m., the meeting resumed.

It was agreed, — That:

(a) the Committee recognizes that,

(i) the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is the primary government agency that decides the opening and closing dates of marine harvesting seasons,

(ii) there are reasonable concerns over this policy’s implications on the access to quotas and harvesters’ livelihoods;

(b) pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study consisting of:

(i) one two-hour meeting with the Honourable Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries,

(ii) one two-hour meeting with relevant officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans,

(iii) three two-hour meetings with marine harvesters and industry experts;

(c) this study analyze:

(i) the reasons and factors contributing to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans decisions on harvesting seasons’ opening and closing dates to access the fishery and/or fishery quota,

(ii) the impacts on delaying these harvesting season decisions on their livelihood and the economy;

(d) the committee report its findings and recommendations to the House; and

At 9:56 a.m., the meeting was suspended.

At 10:02 a.m., the meeting resumed.