Mr. Chairman, it's a matter of some concern regarding testimony last week by DFO officials.
My colleague Mr. Lunney addressed his first question to Mr. Wild. He said in his question that perhaps remarks had been made in the media concerning the motivation of groups that were concerned about gravel extraction, that they were “motivated by other issues than biology: by racial concerns”. That was a comment by Mr. Lunney.
Mr. Wild replied as follows:
That was reported in the Chilliwack paper by a reporter whom we've actually talked to for several years in the area. I might preface my comment by.... I think Marvin also noted that occasionally reporters twist the stories a bit. In my opinion, that was the case here. In that report there were quotes from Dale Paterson, who actually happened to be on holidays for two weeks at the time.
There's a theme in there, though, that is not totally unrelated.
And it goes on from there.
I further questioned Mr. Wild on that issue. I asked him directly whether he referred in his comments to the newspaper reporter about--and I quoted these words--“local animosity”. I suggested to Mr. Wild the following about the newspaper reporter's report:
He says that you suspect that “local animosity with the Cheam First Nation fueled the sport fishermen's outrage over the gravel removed”.
Are you denying that?
Mr. Wild said, “I understand, and I responded to that question earlier.”
When I asked him again, he replied, “That the local animosity between the two groups caused the problem on this site? No.”
I said, “That it fueled local sport fishermen's outrage.”
Mr. Wild said, “I don't believe I said that, Mr. Cummins.”
I said, “That's fine”, and that was the end of the exchange.
Mr. Chairman, I checked with the reporter involved in that story, because I think there was a serious allegation made here. There were comments and denials in committee, and--