Question Period Note: Working with Fish Harvesters in the Aftermath of Hurricane Fiona

What is Fisheries and Oceans Canada doing to support fish harvesters impacted by Hurricane Fiona?

• My thoughts are with the people of Atlantic Canada and Quebec.
• My department continues to work with its provincial counterparts, municipalities, First Nation communities, and emergency response organizations to respond to the needs of those impacted.
• We are working with fisheries associations in Atlantic Canada and Quebec to determine what fisheries flexibilities are needed as they cope with impacts of Hurricane Fiona.
• I can assure you that my department will be as flexible as possible, without compromising safety or conservation.

• The operations of many fisheries harvesters in Atlantic Canada and Quebec have been impacted by the damage caused by Hurricane Fiona to their communities.
• The department is working with fish harvesters to determine what fisheries management flexibilities could be put in place to mitigate the impacts of Hurricane Fiona on their operations (e.g. season extensions, licencing, gear retrieval, etc.). The department will assess each flexibility according to ensure alignment with conservation and other fisheries management objectives.
• Within Canada, emergency management responsibilities are shared by federal, provincial and territorial governments, non-government organizations, etc.
• The Government of Canada's primary instruments for responding to the financial needs of provinces and territories in the wake of major natural disasters are the Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA), which is administered by Public Safety Canada.
• When response and recovery costs exceed what individual provinces or territories could reasonably be expected to bear on their own, the DFAA provide the Government of Canada with a fair and equitable means of assisting provincial and territorial governments.
• On September 25, 2022, the government of Canada established a donation-matching program with the Canadian Red Cross to support those impacted by the storm and will match donations Canadians and corporations make for the next 30 days with the possibility of extension.
• While there may be calls for financial assistance through the Fish Harvester Benefit and Grant Program, this program was established to help fish harvesters impacted by COVID-19. Efforts to recover over payments made through this program were slated to begin in early October 2022, however these plans have been postponed in light of the impacts of Hurricane Fiona.

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