Keep Tabs on your MPs, MLAs and Ministers

http://openparliament.ca/

Open Parliament is a website that posts transcripts of our federal politicians in the House, in the media and on-line. Find out what your MPs and Ministers are saying and the laws they are proposing.

We suggest that you follow Gail Shea, Fin Donnelly, John Cummins, Stephen Harper, and Denise Savoie, as well as your own MP. You can also follow by phrase - try aquaculture, wild salmon, bill c-518 or the Cohen Commission.

For example, in May 2010:

Colin Mayes Okanagan—Shuswap, BC:

   Mr. Speaker, our government supports both a wild salmon fishery and a sustainable aquaculture industry.

   Our minister established the Cohen Commission in part to investigate the relationship. However, before the commission had a chance to publish its first interim report, the NDP presumed to know all the answers and this week tabled a reckless private member's bill that would put thousands and thousands of British Columbians out of work.

   Could the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans inform this House of the latest irresponsible actions taken by the NDP on this important issue?
 

Gail Shea Minister of Fisheries and Oceans:

   Mr. Speaker, nearly 6,000 British Columbians are employed in the aquaculture industry, which contributes over $400 million to the provincial GDP. This proposed NDP bill would put all of these British Columbians out of work and deliver a severe blow to the province's economy.

   Last week, the Steelworkers Union called the actions of the member for New Westminster—Coquitlam irresponsible and motivated by political expediency and personal bias.
http://openparliament.ca/hansards/2261/113/

Perhaps Ms Shea fails to remember the 40,000 jobs supplied by Wilderness Tourism, which all depend on the health and abundance of wild salmon?
 

http://leg.bc.ca/hansard/video/live.asp?video=wven&toc=live

http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/

When the House is sitting in the provincial legislature (BC) you can watch it live on the website above. Question period usually begins around 2pm. It is sitting most days except Friday through the first week of June. You can also follow the procedings of the house on the Hansard.

 

Jurisdictional  Transfer to DFO

The management of aquaculture is shifting soley to DFO's hands as of December 2010, as a result of the Supreme Court's decision in 2009 (Morton 2009). You will have the opportunity to comment on this regulatory reform. From DFO:

DFO has initiated the process of drafting a regulation under the Fisheries Act for aquaculture in B.C.  It is anticipated that the pre-publication (draft) of the new regulation will be posted on the Canada Gazette in June 2010.  A comment period will provide the public with an opportunity to review and comment on the draft regulation.
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/aquaculture/bcr-rcb/index-eng.htm

In preparing for the jurisdictional transfer of aquaculture from the Province of BC to the Government of Canada (Department of Fisheries and Oceans), the federal Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans has been reveiwing salmon farming in British Columbia. Provincial scientists and employees, as well as academic and independent scientists have been testifying since April. See below for their transcripts:

March 22, 2010 - Mr. Trevor Swerdfager (Director General, Fisheries and Aquaculture Management, Aquaculture Management Directorate, Department of Fisheries and Oceans)

April 12, 2010 - Ms. Alexandra Morton, as an Individual

April 14, 2010 - Dr. Mark Sheppard, Veterinarian, Aquatic Animal Health, Ministry of Agriculture and Lands, Government of British Columbia

May 3, 2010 Dr. Martin Krkosek Research Associate, School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle

May 3, 2010 Dr. Brian Harvey, as an Individual

May 3, 2010 William Pennel, Acting Director of Institute for Coastal Research, Vancouver Island University

May 10, 2010 Members of CAAR

May 10, 2010 Dr. Peter Tyedmers Associate Professor, School for Resource and Environmental Studies, Faculty of Management, Dalhousie University

May 12, 2010 Mr. Ron McDonald, President of Canadian Sablefish Association

May 12, 2010 Dr. Lawrence Dill, Proffessor Emeritus