Question Period Note: Departmental Plan 2021-22

• Our government continues to work with Indigenous peoples and all Canadians to keep our oceans and fisheries healthy and sustainable.
• Our 2021-22 Departmental Plan is based on our mandate commitments and our four core responsibilities, fisheries, aquatic ecosystems, marine navigation, and marine operations and response.
• Each of these responsibilities calls for science-based decision-making, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and reliance on the Canadian Coast Guard fleet.

SPENDING
• The decrease in planned spending of $73M from 2020-21 to 2021-22 is primarily related to planned changes in the funding profile as projects, such as CCG fleet renewal and Oceans Protection Plan, near and meet their completion.
• Decreases are also attributable to Carry forward funding that was brought into the department during 2020-21 and planned changes in funding for the ongoing response to the Big Bar landslide.
BLUE OCEAN ECONOMY STRATEGY
• The Blue Economy Strategy will help guide future government actions and investments that will enable Canada to grow its ocean economy to create good middle class jobs and opportunities for Indigenous and other coastal communities that also advance our conservation objectives.
• This strategy will also allow Canada to meet its international commitment to the High Level Panel’s centerpiece recommendation to develop a Sustainable Ocean Plan.

PACIFIC SALMON STRATEGY
• Pacific salmon species are some of the most iconic fish species in Canada, with social, cultural, and economic significance for many communities in British Columbia and the Yukon.
• The continuing decline in the number of healthy Pacific salmon populations in Canada is threatening the sustainability of First Nations, and recreational, and commercial harvesting.
• As the department responsible for the management of Pacific salmon species, DFO will lead a coordinated response to address the multiple drivers of Pacific salmon stock declines and make strategic investments to provide the greatest chance of mitigating these declines in the long-term.

• This Departmental Plan outlines DFO’s expenditure plans, priorities, key plans, expected results, and associated resource requirements.

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