Did Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) consult with Canadians on the proposed Fisheries Act?
Yes. Bill C-45 grew out of hundreds of fisheries renewal consultations and information sessions from coast to coast to coast designed to build a modern fisheries management regime that meets the challenges of the 21st century. Work on a renewed Fisheries Act has been ongoing for a number of years. Over a span of several years, the department conducted its largest-ever engagement process. Virtually everyone associated with the fishery has had the chance to make their views known on what works in the current Act, and what doesn’t work. For example, DFO officials met 305 different Canadian stakeholder groups to discuss the modernization initiative between August 2005 and December 2006. Did anybody see the actual contents of the legislation before Bill C-45 was tabled? No. Members of Parliament have the privilege and the legal right to be presented first with the Bill in the House of Commons. To show stakeholders the words of the text in advance would violate the Canadian Evidence Act. Doe
