Gail Shea

[Fisheries and Oceans, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, library users are asking for digital information, which is clear when our libraries average between five and twelve in-person visitors per year. We have received the Commissioner of Official Languages' final report and are considering it. Our libraries will continue to deliver services in both national languages. The commissioner has recognized that the model for DFO's scientific libraries will not affect service to the public nor language of work for staff.

[The Environment, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said, the only work being conducted in this area is exploratory in nature. Furthermore, all of the scientific information relating to the review of this work is posted online.

I find it hard to comprehend why the NDP is running around requesting an emergency committee meeting to request information that it could find with a simple Google search.

[The Environment, September 15th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we have been clear that projects will only move forward if they are safe for Canadians and safe for the environment.

TransCanada has not submitted the construction of a marine terminal in Cacouna for review to the National Energy Board. That is why it has not reviewed it.

At this stage, the only work being conducted in the area is exploratory in nature, and it has been carefully reviewed by DFO experts and authorized contingent on very strict conditions.

[Fisheries and Oceans, June 12th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this government has done more than any other government in history for the fishermen.

We have invested in the lobster industry. We have invested in rationalization. We have invested in trade deals that will significantly improve the price for the fishermen at the wharf.

[Main Estimates, 2014-15, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I certainly appreciate the member's comments on the Senate. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has, of course, some very effective senators. Coming from a small jurisdiction as I do, we certainly appreciate all the representation we can get in the House here in Ottawa.

I do believe that transparency and accountability will happen in the Senate. It should have happened a long time ago, but I think it will happen as a result of all the current woes of the Senate.

Given the political landscape, the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, for example, has no representative on the federal side of government, but it does have Conservative senators. I wonder if the member could comment, because he did say they are regional representatives. Does he see these senators having any role in benefiting their province?

[Questions on the Order Paper, June 10th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, including the Canadian Coast Guard, does not track information related to the streamlining and consolidation of offices and jobs.

[Fisheries and Oceans, June 5th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, the confusion is on that side of the House. I regret that ice and weather conditions have affected fishers in some areas of Atlantic Canada, but if conditions remain as predicted, the one remaining closed area will open at 6:00 a.m. tomorrow. However, weather and ice conditions are unpredictable, so I do urge fishers to exercise caution.

I must say it is surprising to hear this new-found concern for fishers coming from this member, who once referred to fish processing plants as stamp factories and said that dependency on the federal government “has slowly rotted outport life to the core”.

[Fisheries and Oceans, June 4th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, DFO takes its mandate to protect marine life and habitat seriously. This work was reviewed by expert DFO officials, and it was determined that it would not result in any serious harm to protected marine life, including belugas.

Nonetheless, TransCanada is required to adopt several mitigation measures, including an exclusion zone. I understand that TransCanada has also decided to suspend work until provincial authorization is delivered.

[The Environment, June 3rd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, despite the opposition's claims, our amendments to the Fisheries Act strengthen fisheries protection.

We are focusing more of DFO's time and resources on projects that could have an impact on commercial, recreational, and aboriginal fisheries that are so important to many of our rural communities.

Our changes also make penalties tougher in order to punish those people who actually break the law by causing serious harm to fisheries. These changes will also cut red tape while protecting Canadian fisheries.

[Fisheries and Oceans, June 2nd, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this report also acknowledges that our government has made significant progress in the area of marine protection. We have designated three new marine protected areas and have created three national wildlife areas, including the world sanctuary for bowhead whales. This commitment was reiterated in our latest economic action plan. As a result, the Prime Minister recently announced our new national conservation plan, which includes $37 million to strengthen marine and coastal conservation.

We are getting the job done.