Question Period Note: Budget 2021

• This Budget will allow Canada to recover and rebuild stronger and more equitably after the pandemic.

• I am very pleased to note that this Budget proposes $2.8 billion in funding over five years to support the protection of Canada’s oceans resources, and the livelihoods of those that rely on them.

• Critical investments include:

o $300 million for small craft harbour infrastructure;
o $647.1 million to address the decline in Pacific salmon populations;
o $976 million in new funding to meet our mandate commitment to protect 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025;
o $161.6 million to address aquatic species at risk;
o plus other investments in aquaculture, and emergency marine response.

• I look forward to working with harvesters, Indigenous partners, and other stakeholders in implementing these important initiatives in the coming months and years.

__Small Craft Harbours
• Climate change has led to increased repair and maintenance demands, with some harbours becoming inoperable without sizable annual dredging programs.
• Small craft harbours are a key driver of Canada’s blue economy and this work can support good middle class jobs in rural and coastal communities.
• Budget 2021 includes $300 million over five years in funding to repair, renew, and replace small craft harbours. This would support Canadians in the fishing, aquaculture, tourism, environmental, recreational, marine engineering, and construction industries, and strengthen the resilience of rural and coastal communities.
Federal Response to Pacific Salmon Decline
• The potential loss of salmon species would have dire and wide-spread economic consequences for First Nations, recreational and commercial harvesters and hamper any post-COVID economic recovery.
• Canada’s approach will help ensure treaty fishery rights are respected while also giving First Nations in British Columbia and Yukon a greater role in stewardship.
• Budget 2021 provides $647.1 million over five years to stabilize and conserve wild Pacific salmon populations, including funding to engage with First Nations and fish harvesters.

Marine Conservation Targets
• Protecting our oceans is a key priority that Canadians support and want to see delivered.
• Supporting healthy oceans is integral to a strong blue economy, and ocean protection will only further strengthen the fisheries that fish harvesters and communities depend on.
• Budget 2021 allocates $976 million in funding over five years to achieve our 25 per cent marine conservation targets by 2025.
Aquaculture
• As we strengthen Canada’s sustainable blue economy, the aquaculture sector will have a key role to play. To ensure that we grow this sector in a way that works best for the environment and Canadians, we need to work closely with First Nations, industry, scientists, governments of all levels, and other key stakeholders.
• Addressing the fundamental public trust will build a solid foundation to allow for greater certainty, investor confidence, and expansion of the Aquaculture sector.
• Budget 2021 allocates $23 million over five years to engage on developing a plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia’s waters by 2025, and collaborate with Indigenous communities to pilot area-based management approaches to managing aquaculture activities in priority areas of British Columbia.
Nature Legacy 2.0
• Canada must seize the opportunity to play a leadership role in protecting nature and biodiversity.
• Many species, including some of our most iconic species, are facing significant threats and even the risk of extinction unless we take even stronger action.
• Budget 2021 allocates $161.6M over five years to take action to prevent priority species at imminent risk of disappearing, including through partnerships with Indigenous peoples.
• Budget 2021 also allocated a $10 million increase, in 2021-22 to assist projects that retrieve ghost gear, dispose of fishing related plastic waste, test new fishing technology, and support international efforts to decrease ghost gear.

• Budget 2021 was presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance on April 19, 2021.

O SMALL CRAFT HARBOURS (SCH) - $300M over two years for maintenance, repair or new construction of small craft harbours.

O FEDERAL RESPONSE TO PACIFIC SALMON DECLINES - $647.1M over five years for a response to address both the complex biological challenges causing unprecedented declines of Pacific salmon, and deliver targeted programs to strengthen local industries led by indigenous, commercial, and recreational salmon harvesters.

O MARINE CONSERVATION TARGETS (MCT) - $976.8M over five years to conserve marine ecosystems through the establishment and proper management of marine protected areas.

O FISHERIES AND AQUACULTURE CLEAN TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION PROGRAM RENEWAL AND EXPANSION (FACTAP) - $10M over two years to renew the program.

O SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE AND THE TRANSITION OF OPEN NET PENS IN BC - $23M over two years to expand engagement with the Province of British Columbia, Indigenous communities, industry, scientists, and other stakeholders. This consultation would inform the development of a responsible plan to transition from open net-pen salmon farming in coastal British Columbia waters by 2025.

O NATURE LEGACY 2.0 - AQUATIC SPECIES AT RISK - $161.6M over five years to renew and make permanent the original Nature Legacy Initiative and to ensure ‘core’ species at risk work, which is statutory, can be accomplished.

O OCEANS PROTECTION PLAN (OPP) - $2.3M over one year to support the Canadian Coast Guard auxiliary chapter in the Arctic and the Indigenous Community Boat Volunteer Pilot Program.

O EMERGENCY TOWING VESSELS - $102.9M over five years to extend the lease of two emergency towing vessels (ETVS) on Canada’s West Coast for five years.

O RENEWAL OF THE CANADIAN COAST GUARD FLEET - although not mentioned in the Budget text, the Department understands that non-announceable funding is being provided for the Canadian Coast Guard’s fleet renewal. Plans for announcements remain to be determined.

None