Mr.¦Chair, I thank my colleague for his question.
I was very pleased to go out on a tour, starting with New Brunswick, right after receiving my new portfolio. I wanted to meet the people who work in the fisheries, both in the fish harvesting sector and in the processing sector.
As I said, climate change is a matter of great concern for people involved in fisheries. According to the most recent scientific data, the St.¦Lawrence River and the Gulf of St.¦Lawrence have got warmer. That will certainly have consequences.
In my opening remarks, I said that over the next few years we are going to be navigating uncharted waters, and so it is important that we work together, that we collaborate. I am very aware of what is happening in the fisheries sector. For example, people in the Maritimes who work in the processing industry earn, on average, about¦$30,000 per year. It is therefore important to provide the populations that will be experiencing the impact of climate change with good information and support.
I want to reassure my colleague: discussions are taking place among my colleagues and ministers to find measures to implement, to help the people in these industries.
As well, it is important that the municipalities and provincial governments work with the federal government.