Question Period Note: 2021-22 Main Estimates

• Fisheries and Oceans’ 2021-22 Main Estimates total $4.383 billion dollars, which represents a $920.5 million dollar increase when compared to the 2020-21 Main Estimates.
• The increase is primarily the result of funding for Indigenous programs, recapitalization of the Canadian Coast Guard fleet; the support of self-employed fish harvesters in Canada affected by COVID-19 and for the ongoing response to the Big Bar rockslide.
• We will continue to protect and promote our waterways, focus on growing Canada’s ocean economy, sustain and rebuild the fisheries and ensure the advancement of reconciliation and conservation objectives, while providing important economic opportunities to Canadians and coastal communities.
Indigenous program funding
• This funding will be used to implement reconciliation agreements and implement treaties, as well as engaging with Indigenous communities and stakeholders on fisheries policies.
• This will signal Canada’s commitment to address Aboriginal and treaty rights and work towards building a renewed nation-to-nation relationship based on recognition, rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership to grow the middle class, close socio-economic gaps and improve quality of life.

The Canadian Coast Guard's fleet recapitalization projects
• Investments for Coast Guard’s fleet recapitalization projects include funding to replace its existing fleet of aging vessels as well as funding for Vessel Life Extensions (VLE) to maintain current service levels until new vessels are delivered.
• Since 2019, several projects, including the Arctic Offshore Patrol Ships, Multi-Purpose Vessels, Program Icebreakers and the Vessel Life Extension program continue to ramp up, with the Offshore Oceanographic Science Vessel set to begin construction in 2021.
• The commitment to renew the Coast Guard fleet will provide our crews with state of the art tools they need to keep Canadians safe, preserve a world class marine regime and keep our economy moving.
Funding to support self-employed fish harvesters in Canada affected by COVID-19
• The funding provides immediate assistance to harvesters through increased liquidity and much needed upfront capital to ensure that operations can begin, or continue, in the 2021 fishing season. The proposed program aims to help secure the sustainability of Canada's fisheries sector.
• Harvesting operations, regardless of how they are structured, could use this assistance to cover a decrease in income and address increased costs due to health and safety requirements.

Funding for the ongoing response to the Big Bar rockslide
• In June 2019, a landslide was reported in a remote stretch of the Fraser River near Big Bar, British Columbia. Huge pieces of rock and debris sheared off a cliff and crashed into the Fraser River. The obstruction significantly affected the ability of returning salmon to reach their spawning grounds as water height and volume impeded natural salmon passage.
• The intent of this ongoing response is to support fish passage on the Fraser River through the construction and implementation of a permanent fishway to enable returning salmon to reach their spawning grounds.

• The Main Estimates list the resources required by individual departments and agencies for the upcoming fiscal year in order to deliver the programs for which they are responsible. Main Estimates are used to seek Parliamentary authority for spending.
• Due to timing, it is not always possible to include items announced in the Government’s federal budget. Additional funding stemming from the upcoming Budget would therefore be sought through Supplementary Estimates later in the fiscal year.
• These Main Estimates will be tabled in February, with the Interim Supply bill receiving Royal Assent prior to the start of the fiscal year. The remaining voted authorities will be received once Full Supply is granted in June.

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