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Dear Loyola Hearn:
We have recently been advised that your government has re-introduced a proposed new Fisheries Act for Canada (Bill C-32 – formerly Bill C-45) to the House of Parliament where it was given first reading on or about November 27, 2007. We have also been advised by senior officials within DFO that it is very likely the Bill will be brought forward for second reading before the House rises for Christmas break on December 14th, 2007.
We, with the support of the groups listed below, are writing to ask that you send Bill C-32 to the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans prior to being brought forward in the House for second reading.
As you are aware, there was significant and loud opposition to Bill C-45 expressed by environmental and conservation groups, First Nations and commercial and sport fishers from across Canada when it was first introduced in the fall of 2006. So much so that opposition parties introduced a Hoist Amendment to delay passage of Bill C-45 beyond first reading.
The main concerns expressed by stakeholders from across Canada were that the sheer scope and intent of the changes to the Fisheries Act were overwhelming, that many of the proposed changes were problematic from a fisheries management and habitat protection point of view, that it did not appear to serve the best interests of Canadians and that the DFO failed to adequately consult with Canadians on the development of Bill C-45.
Bill C-45 essentially died on the Order Paper when the house was prorogued last spring. Since then ENGOs nationally have been attempting to reach out to the DFO with the honest and open intent of working with them to develop a Fisheries Act that meets the needs of all Canadians and has the input from those who would be most affected by changes to the current Act. However, this has not happened.
On October 16th 2007 we received a letter from you that stated:
“Parliament has prorogued and I am now talking to my parliamentary colleagues and others on how best to proceed with modernizing the Fisheries Act. In the interim I am happy to continue to receive thoughtful feedback on Bill C-45.”
We took this to mean that perhaps you were willing to further consider the points of view of those who had expressed concerns about Bill C-45 and maybe work with them to ensure that we have an Act that all Canadians could live with. We were even advised by some in your department that it was unlikely that Bill C-45 would be resurrected in this current session of Parliament leading us to believe that there was still time to work with the Department on this important piece of legislation.
That all changed with the sudden re-introduction of Bill C-45 (with minor, but important changes, thank you for that) in the form of Bill C-32 last week.
We do not believe there is sufficient time for all stakeholders to review, comment and take positions on this new Bill and bring them forward to their MPs given the tight timelines. Also, the timing of the introduction of the Bill could not have been worse given that the Christmas holiday season is upon us.
There is still concern amongst many stakeholders, including the ENGO community, about the scope and intent of the proposed changes to the Act and what they mean for Canadians, our fisheries resources and fish habitat. Accordingly, we are writing to ask that you send Bill C-32 to Committee prior to being brought forward in the House of Parliament for second reading, thus allowing a robust discussion for all stakeholders within the Parliamentary process.
Several ENGOs from across Canada support this call and are listed below. Had we had more time, I’m sure the list would have been much longer
Thank you for your time
Sincerely
John Werring
Salmon Conservation Biologist
Marine Conservation Program
David Suzuki Foundation
Ste. 219 – 2211 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, BC, V6K 4S2
(604) 732-4228 ext. 245
(604) 732-0752 Fax
Visit our website at www.davidsuzuki.org
Groups who agree with this position include:
Alberta Wilderness Association, Contact: Martha Kostuch (403) 283-2025
Conservation Council of New Brunswick, Contact: Inka Milewski (506) 622-2460
David Suzuki Foundation, Contact: John Werring (604) 732-4228×245
Ecology Action Centre, Contact: Susanna Fuller (902) 442-5046
Fisheries Recovery Action Committee, Contact: Fred Winsor (709) 738-3781
Friends of the Oldman River, Contact: Cliff Wallis (403) 271-1408
Georgia Strait Alliance, Contact: Christianne Wilhelmson (604) 633-0530
Great Lakes United, Contact: Jennifer Nalbone, (716) 213-0408
Lake Ontario Waterkeeper, Contact: Mark Mattson (416) 861-1237
Les Intendants du Madawaska [comté de Madawaska, NB], Contact: J. Denys Bourgue (506) 739-6471
Living Oceans Society, Contact: Dorthea Hangaard (250) 973-6580
Newfoundland and Labrador Healthy Oceans Coalition, Contact: Julie Huntington (709) 726-5800
Ottawa Riverkeeper, Contact: Meredith Brown (613) 864-7442
Sierra Club of Canada, Atlantic Canada Chapter, Fred Winsor (709) 738-3781
Southpeace Environment Association, Contact: Bob Cameron (780) 957-2292
Yukon Conservation Society, Contact: Karen Baltgailis (867) 668-5678