Note pour la période des questions : Commission des pêcheries des Grands Lacs

La responsabilité de la Commission des pêches des Grands Lacs a été transférée à Affaires mondiales Canada. Des préoccupations subsistent quant à la gestion de l'engagement financier du Canada entre le GAC et le MPO

• Les Grands Lacs revêtent une importance considérable pour l'économie, la santé et le bien-être des Canadiens et des collectivités autochtones.
• Le travail de la Commission des pêcheries des Grands Lacs est essentiel pour contrôler la lamproie marine, mener des recherches scientifiques et maintenir la coopération entre les organismes canadiens et américains afin de gérer la santé des poissons et des pêcheries des Grands Lacs
• Depuis le transfert de l'appareil gouvernemental, mes fonctionnaires travaillent en étroite collaboration avec Pêches et Océans Canada, la Commission et le Bureau du Conseil privé afin de veiller à un transfert harmonieux des responsabilités.
• Le gouvernement du Canada reconnaît le rôle important que joue la Commission des pêches des Grands Lacs dans la préservation et la protection de nos ressources en eau douce binationales, et nous sommes déterminés à assurer une transition réussie.

The 1954 Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries Between Canada and the United States of America created the Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC). The GLFC provides a mechanism for Canada and the United States to work together to combat sea lamprey, to protect and sustain the Great Lakes fisheries, and to act as a coordinating body for fishery management and research.

Pursuant to the Convention, the Commission is funded by both Canada and the United States. As decided at the Commission's first meeting in 1956, for implementation of the Sea Lamprey Control Program, the U.S. and Canada contribute 69% and 31% of the Commission's budget, respectively. To support the Commission's science research efforts, coordination of binational fisheries management, communications program, and other matters undertaken at the Secretariat office, Canada and the U.S. contribute equal amounts.

In September 2024, former Prime Minister Trudeau transferred the responsibility for the GLFC from the portfolio of the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard to the portfolio of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The transfer was formalized by an Order in Council dated 18 October 2024. This machinery change arose out of a history of the GLFC's distrust over DFO's administration of the funds allocated to the Commission.

The machinery of government decision does not legally allow Canada's funding commitment to be transferred to GAC as DFO remains responsible for the Sea Lamprey Control Program. As a result, Global Affairs Canada has been working closely with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Commission Secretariat, the Privy Council Office and the Treasury Board Secretariat to ensure a smooth and efficient transition of the funds allocated to the GLFC, including the most efficient administrative arrangements to fully implement the process of transferring the funds allocated to the Commission, while honouring Canada's obligations under the Treaty.

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