Hon. J. A. MacKINNON (Minister of Fisheries):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to refer to a matter of special importance to management and labour engaged in the salmon fishery industry in British Columbia.

As members will recall, the government late last fall withdrew its control on the export of certain species of raw salmon to the United States. This permitted United States buyers, who were offering higher prices, to obtain substantial quantities of Canadian raw salmon which otherwise would have been canned by our industry for domestic and export markets. Our canners, thus deprived of the raw materials, were obliged to suspend salmon canning operations in the latter part of the season.

The government has been concerned with the possibility of a more serious dislocation of salmon canning throughout the 1948 operating season. Separate submissions were heard from representatives of the canners, labour union and co-operatives, all of whom desired the maintenance of the British Columbia canning industry, notwithstanding some differences of opinion as to the sharing of their respective responsibilities in meeting this end. The government feels that some corrective steps must be taken to safeguard both fishermen and management. The most desirable solution seemed to be a measure of stabilization of the canning industry while at the same time assuring increased export of the raw material to the United States.

I wish, therefore, to announce that, effective immediately, British Columbia fishermen are permitted to export to the United States unrestricted quantities of raw spring salmon. Export of raw coho is also permitted, but only up to September 1 of this year.

Raw sockeye, pinks and chums, will be retained in Canada.

I want especially to emphasize that this decision is simply a ruling that is designed to give balanced treatment to management and 5849-1784

fishermen. It is not an embargo. It necessitates, of course, reasonable compromises on both sides.

I am satisfied that the decision reached by the cabinet will provide equitable safeguard for management in maintaining its canning industry and for fishermen by leaving the way open for them to take advantage of the higher prices paid on the United States market for springs and coho.

I might add here that the normal export to the United States of all species of canned, salted, smoked, cured frozen salmon is not, of course, affected by the ruling.

Mr. MacINNIS:

May I ask a question of the Minister of Fisheries? He said that this regulation did not constitute an embargo.

Mr. MacKINNON:

It does not.

Mr. MacINNIS:

Does it mean that, despite the regulation, sockeye, pinks and chums may not be exported, and if they may not, isn't that an embargo?

Mr. MacKINNON:

It may be construed as a partial embargo, but it allows certain species of salmon to be exported to the United States market, retaining others at home.

Mr. PEARKES:

Can the minister say what steps are being taken to ensure a market for all the salmon that can be canned in our canneries?

Mr. MacKINNON:

From our conversations with the industry, and it is the opinion of our own officials, we believe that the catch which will be canned this year in Canada will find sufficient markets, domestic and foreign.

On the orders of the day:

Mr. ARCHIBALD:

I should like to ask a further question of the Minister of Fisheries. Owing to the fact that the embargo on chums is a serious blow to the fishermen's co-operative on the coast, will the minister consider referring this matter to the fisheries committee where the co-operatives could present their case?

Mr. MacKINNON:

We have gone very fully into the matter, Mr. Speaker. We listened to representations from the fishermen's union, the co-operatives who are both fishermen and canners, and the canners. I

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think the decision we arrived at, and which I have just announced, is a fair settlement of the difficulty at the present time.

Mr. MANROSS:

I should like to ask a quest'on of the Minister of Fisheries. Now that he has taken care of the sockeyes, chums, and pinks, will he try to export the reds?