Robert Thibault

[Fisheries, June 5th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his question. It is true that DFO officials apprehended fishers of district 22 fishing in district 24, issued warnings and asked them to retreat to their side of the line where they are licensed to fish.

Through the diligent work of the member for Egmont, who has provided information that they have been fishing there in the past and may have historic rights, my officials are reviewing the matter at this time. I thank him for his hard work.

[Boat Towing, May 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member that the coast guard will be available seven days a week, 24 hours a day to tow any boat in distress or in potential distress.

However, it is not the policy of the coast guard to compete with the private sector. When their price is justified, we will not stand in the way.

[Fisheries, May 24th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I want to advise the House that I will be travelling to Russia next week to meet with the north Atlantic fisheries minister. At this year's conference I will be presenting Canada's position to NAFO member countries.

This year's conference will focus on the renewal of fisheries management and on co-operation in marine research. It gives me the opportunity to express Canada's strong concern about non-compliance outside our 200 mile limit directly to European counterparts.

The government acknowledges that there is no simple solution to this international problem. I think that this meeting will be a big step forward.

[Fisheries, April 26th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I have received the recommendations of the FRCC. I thank it for its great work, its services and its recommendations.

I have also received a report from the eminent panel on seal management. I have asked my staff and I will be discussing with the fisheries ministers from all provinces and territories a long term management plan for seals that would include an increase in quota.

[Question No. 124—, April 24th, 2002]

The costs associated with the translation of the document “Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, CEAA, Screening Report for the OMYA (Canada) Inc.--Tay River Water Intake Project” were as follows:

Total as of 22/03/02: $10, 538

$2,017--English/French public notice of comment period on screening report (10/10/01)

$4,675--English/French screening report and revisions from public comment (23/10/01)

$3,846--English/French translation, amendments, editorial revisions of screening report (11/03/02)

Outstanding payable(s) for translation, amendment and editorial revision to the screening report of March 2002 should be received in the Burlington District Office within the next month.

[Fisheries, April 22nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first of all, I would like to thank the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council and the panel on seal management for the serious work they have done and the recommendations they have made. Both have advised me that the growing seal population could present problems.

I have asked officials in my department to do a study of the seal population and to talk with the provinces and industry to determine just how much quotas could be increased in the long term in order to satisfy all these requirements.

[Canadian Coast Guard, April 18th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Egmont for this excellent question. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is very proud to be associated with 4,600 volunteer members of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. Each year working side by side with Canadian coast guard officers they save over 200 lives across the country.

Today I was pleased to sign a five year contribution agreement which will provide $22.5 million to cover the costs to the auxiliary of search and rescue operations, education, training, insurance and out of pocket expenses. We thank these volunteer people very much.

[Fisheries and Oceans, April 17th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, it is not a flop. It had been at one time. When we took over government in the early nineties it was not governed at all, not regulated. In 1995 we took serious action.

We would have thought it would have been resolved because the member, who has been a member from Atlantic Canada and whose party leader was Minister of Foreign Affairs, had ample chances to solve all the international problems on the nose and the tail and he failed to do so. Now we are taking charge.

[Fisheries and Oceans, April 17th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the member makes light of what I think is a very serious matter. Surveillance of our 200 mile limit is very important to the government. We do not do it with ministerial aircraft. We do it with the military Aurora. We do it with contracted aircraft with other companies. We do it with our surveillance vessel as well as with observers on all the vessels. That is what we do within NAFO. We work on a diplomatic international solution to an international problem.

[Fisheries, April 16th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, every year, a hundred or so fishing ventures change hands. The employees of these companies may lose their jobs, or go with the new employer, depending on the demand.

It is unfortunate that in this case, given that we purchased fishing licences to comply with the Marshall decision, people are suffering. Our department and other federal departments are working with the province to find alternatives. We will continue to work with them to find other jobs. The mentoring program shows that we want to work with aboriginal communities and commercial fishers and may meet the needs of some employees. I cannot be certain about these people, but in the meantime, I would urge them to vacate my department's offices.