I represent a small group of fishers, but I am part of a community composed of approximately 400 Magdalen Island fishers. We are very familiar with the fleet. I am almost convinced that you saw it, when you went near the coast...
Is anyone listening to me?
I'm convinced that when you went down by the coast, you saw where we store the boats in the winter. Given that the subject of your study is boat stability, I would imagine that you were struck by the high-calibre of the boats found in the Magdalen Islands. Quebec's most beautiful boat fleet is found right here.
I represent a group of fishers who were affected by the ground fish moratorium. We have a very clear recollection of a meeting we had about five or six years ago with Transport Canada. It was quite a noisy meeting, held in the Magdalen Islands, and we talked about boat safety. They tried to make us believe that it would cost between $250 to $400. However, this little scenario wound up costing us about $4,000 to $5,000. The scenario that we are supposed to swallow now will cost perhaps between $7,000 and $10,000, maybe even more. With a gross income of between $35,000 and $40,000, our fishers are saying that they are doing volunteer work for the benefit of all kinds of companies or industries that sell fishing equipment or whatever. We are paying a great deal of money for our licences, we are paying a great deal of money to have observers with us when we are at sea, we are paying for safety, we are paying for everything. We are no longer capable of doing this.
There are a lot of discussions under way about the viability of fishing operations. How can we make the fishing sector more viable? It certainly isn't by adding a bill of $7,000, $8,000 or $10,000 to be paid by captains for stability testing and the rating that that involves.
As far as the Magdalen Islands are concerned, I would ask the committee to take a look at accidents involving ships weighing more or less 15 tons. How many boats have capsized? How many boats have sunk? The number is quite low, much lower than the number of highway traffic accidents. However, now we are being told that you are worried about our safety, etc. Our fishers are worried about their safety. Every captain is aware of the fact that he is responsible for his crew. He loads his boat bearing safety in mind. That is why there aren't many accidents in the Magdalen Islands. Fishers are aware of safety.
We therefore totally disagree with stability testing for our boats because that will mean an additional bill to pay. All that we can say is that, if the government is prepared to pay for the entire bill, we would agree. But I am convinced that the government, rather than paying for the entire bill, will put the whole issue on ice. So we are recommending that the issue be put on ice.
Thank you.