Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans

Comité permanent des pêches et des océans

For immediate release

Ottawa, October 10, 2017 -

Members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (“the Committee”) will visit coastal communities in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec to assess social, economic and environmental impacts of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the region. As part of its study on MPAs, the Committee wishes to ensure that all traditional uses and values are duly considered and respected in the criteria and process for identifying and establishing MPAs.

Committee Chair Mr. Scott Simms (Coast of Bays — Central — Notre Dame) will be joined by Mr. Pat Finnigan (Miramichi — Grand Lake), Ms. Bernadette Jordan (South Shore — St. Margarets), Mr. Mel Arnold (North Okanagan — Shuswap) and Mr. Wayne Stetski (Kootenay — Columbia).

On October 16, 2017, the Committee will visit the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. The Committee will hold consultations in Cheticamp and Sydney, Nova Scotia on October 17 and 18, 2017. On October 19, 2017, the Committee will visit Gaspe, Quebec and will hear from interested parties in Shippagan, New Brunswick on October 20, 2017.