Something’s fishy

When Justin Trudeau became Prime Minister, the mandate letter to his Fisheries and Oceans Minister contained the following instruction: “As Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, your overarching goal will be to protect our three oceans, coasts, waterways and fisheries and ensure that they remain healthy for future generations.”

You would think that would include dead fish floating in Island waterways. Environment Canada and the provincial government have all been very quiet on last year’s fish kills. I know that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) had devolved some responsibility for Island waterways to the province. But I hadn’t known quite how silent DFO had been until a friend sent me the June 16th transcript of questions raised in the House of Commons by Malpeque MP Wayne Easter.

It took place during the time reserved for answering “Questions on the Order Paper,” a less wellknown (compared to “question period”) procedure that allows MPs to request written answers to more detailed questions. Question No. 1028:

Mr. Wayne Easter: “With regard to the investigation into the Clyde River Fish Kill in Clyde River and area on Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.): (a) how many personnel from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) have been involved in the investigation; (b) with regard to interviews conducted between DFO officials and individuals involved in the case, how many interviews have taken place, and over what period of time; (c) with regard to trips to P.E.I. related to this investigation made by off-island DFO offices, (i) how many trips were made, (ii) how many vehicle hours have been accumulated, (iii) what was the duration of each trip, (iv) what were the accommodation and travel status costs; (d) who requested this extended investigation at the federal level; (e) which individual, or individuals, from P.E.I. requested the assistance of the DFO; (f) has the DFO been provided with a report from Environment Canada on the extraordinary rain event that caused the flooding, and if so, what did the report conclude; and (g) what are the details of all correspondence, both written and electronic, related to this matter, between officials from the P.E.I. Department of the Environment and DFO personnel?”

Mr. Terry Beech (Parliamentary Secretary for Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, Lib.):

“Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), there was no involvement by personnel of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, DFO.

With regard to (b), no interviews were conducted by DFO.

With regard to (c), no trips to P.E.I. related to this investigation were made by off-island DFO offices.

Parts (d) and (e) are not applicable.

With regard to (f), no, DFO has not been provided with a report from Environment Canada. With regard to (g), there has been no correspondence between officials from the P.E.I. Department of the Environment and DFO personnel.”

Thanks Wayne for asking the questions. Islanders deserve to know how their environment is being protected. Or not.

We need everyone working together to enforce the laws and create a culture where we can proudly call ourselves “Canada’s Food Island” instead of making claims that embarrass the province every time we find dead fish, shellfish and birds in our waterways.