It met them.
House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2019, with 41% of the vote.
Canada Customs And Revenue Agency Act December 2nd, 1998
It met them.
Small Scale Fishing November 30th, 1998
The member opposite is asking “Who”. Premier Tobin is well known. I believe he was called Captain Canada at one time when on behalf of the government he ensured that we put the run to the foreigners at one point in time. He ensured that the fishery would move ahead for Canadian fishermen.
In his remarks Premier Tobin made very clear that although many people in Canada think the fisheries is a basket case that is not the case at all. The main reason the Newfoundland economy is predicted to do so well this year is because of the fishery. It has improved and is healthy. There are problems in terms of the Atlantic cod fishery but the fishery is improving. The value of landings has improved. I believe in the province of Quebec the value of landings has improved 39% since about 1982.
One of the most important points I want to make is that conservation is the government's top priority when it comes to managing Canada's fisheries resources. In the case of the fisheries this means conservation comes before other priorities, as worthy as they may be, such as job creation and economic development.
Although members opposite very seldom admit it, we are working on job creation and economic development through the rural initiatives of the Government of Canada rather than just fisheries policy in and of itself. We are doing what we can with fisheries policies.
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has made the point many times in terms of conservation that the fish must come first. It must be obvious by now why this is so. Discussion on fisheries policy would be much more productive if everyone would realize that the old ways must change, both the old ways of thinking and the old ways of fishing. We need to acknowledge that things have changed and that current conditions demand both drastic short term measures, many of which we have taken, and the long term will to change.
If we need to mark anything, it is the passing of the old fishery and the birth of a new conservation based fishery. Its design and development is still unfolding. Many members of the House are members of the fisheries committee. It is an integral part and hears what fishermen in the fishing communities have to say. It listens to them and brings reports, even when they are critical of DFO, to the House to add to the debate so that we develop a fisheries for the future which keeps communities in mind. The design and development of a conservation based fishery are unfolding day by day and aggressively under the minister of fisheries.
The government's ultimate objective is to have a sustainable fishery. This means fisheries that are economically viable and ecologically sound, fisheries that can support communities and provide fishermen with good incomes within sustainable limits.
To accomplish this the government has taken steps to reduce the number of people who depend on the fishery for their livelihoods. These steps include temporary income assistance, early retirement incentives, licence buy-backs and other measures to assist communities to adapt to the changing fishery.
We also need—and the government is working on this as well—to reduce harvesting capacity. As always the government is open to suggestions in terms of how to do that best in maintaining and supporting communities.
Why has the government taken these important steps? The answer is simple: so that those who remain in the fishery can make a decent living without overfishing, as has happened in the past, and without relying on government subsidies.
Conservation is the top priority in fisheries management for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Practising conservation and enforcing conservation are the only things standing between us and the loss of our fish stocks. We cannot allow the mistakes of the past. We on this side of the House have learned from the mistakes of the past. We cannot allow mistakes of the past to be part of the fisheries of the future.
If people think a moratorium is painful, let us imagine living in a world without fish. That was clearly the road we were on until the government took the leadership to develop new policies and to take action to ensure there are fisheries for the future.
The issue is not as implied in the motion by the member opposite. The issue is not large scale fishing versus small scale fishing. That is not the issue at all. The issue is taking only as much fish as the resource can support and as much as a well managed environment can produce.
The fishery of the future needs a place for both the large scale and small scale fishery. Most integral to that are those communities which depend on fishing for their livelihood. These are the guiding principles the government follows.
The fishing industry has to be able to live within strict conservation guidelines without relying on government support. That means the industry has to be able to withstand the ups and downs of commerce, the price fluctuations, and the ebb and flow of demand and supply without subsidies. That means the industry has to change, which is why the government is talking about fewer licences, multi-species licensing and a professional industry.
I want to quote an editorial from the Fishing News by James Pugsley when he talked about the federal plan. He indicated that the federal plan, although not perfect, was the best bet at this time. He said the actions of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to move a sustainable fisheries model allowing only a conservative fishing effort that will not threaten stocks comes after two decades of warnings from the department's own fisheries. In the editorial he said that was the way to go. We believe in action.
Small Scale Fishing November 30th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise on the motion of the hon. member for Sackville—Eastern Shore:
That, in the opinion of this House, the government should declare an international week of awareness about the benefits of small- scale fishing for the environment and for the sustainability of communities.
I have had the opportunity to travel with the member for Sackville—Eastern Shore to many small communities with the fisheries committee. I firmly believe that fishing, farming and other rural communities are the lifeblood of the nation. We have to do everything we can to ensure their viability.
Declaring a week of awareness is not the answer. At the very end the member opposite dealt with the facts when he said it was nothing more than a symbolic gesture. It has to be much more than that. We on this side of the House believe in taking some action. Symbolism is not enough.
If we are to have an international week of awareness we have to put people on the issue. We have to hire people. We have to put out publications. It takes money and time. We are trying to expend our efforts improving the fisheries rather than that which is typical of the New Democratic Party. It wants to theorize, study and go on for years. We on this side of the House believe in making some hard decisions and taking action. We have begun to see evidence in the last year in terms of improvements. In fact Premier Tobin mentioned that the other day.
Awareness is already taking place and taking place vividly. Last week at the Canadian Council of Professional Fish Harvesters, a national forum held from November 21 to November 23, the minister, elected officials, industry representatives and fish harvesters met to work further on a vision of the fishery which recognizes gear sectors and opens the lines to communication. It was an attempt to work in unison with the industry as a whole. It was a recognition by people practising in the industry of its importance and that there is a future for the fishing industry.
When Premier Tobin spoke—
Fisheries November 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, the member should know full well that the minister has answered this question many times.
In terms of the coast guard, safety is our number one priority. He mentioned a particular vessel but the vessels are now being used for multi-arrangements and the safety of fishermen will not be compromised.
Fisheries November 27th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I know the member for Sackville—Eastern Shores is an active member of the fisheries committee and works diligently with members on the government side in terms of overcoming some of the problems in the fishery.
He will know that departmental officials met with the fisheries committee last week and the minister this week. They have indicated that they are finding new ways of consulting with the fishing community and fishermen.
Premier Tobin last week at the fisheries council meeting admitted that the reason Newfoundland's economy will be number one this year is because of the fishery. It is not just a disaster. There are good examples, and it is as a result of the leadership of the minister.
Canadian Farmers November 26th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, Canada has one of the best safety net systems in the world. It includes the net income stabilization account, or NISA, crop insurance and companion programs.
In normal circumstances these safety net measures create income stability for farmers. However, today the hog and grain producers are not facing normal circumstances. This crisis is far greater than NISA was designed to handle.
The current farm income crisis demands an extraordinary response.
I know some producers who are facing the loss of the family farm. I understand the stress and trauma that this inflects on individuals and families.
In the short term we must respond to these farmers whose livelihoods are threatened. I know that the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food has been working hard to resolve this issue. He has my support and I hope he has the support of this House.
Petitions November 20th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I would like to present a petition on behalf of a number of constituents who pray that parliament will enact Bill C-225, an act to amend the Marriage Act and the Interpretation Act. I present it on their behalf.
Icebreaking Policy November 20th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I thought that by this time the member opposite, given all the minister's answers over the past week, would be standing to congratulate the Government of Canada for what it does in the province of Quebec.
The hon. member should be praising the Government of Canada for its support of the fishery, increasing the value of the landings by 39% as compared to an 18% increase in Atlantic Canada. The minister already indicated to members opposite that we are spending $36 million on bridges across the St. Lawrence—
International Firefighters Competition November 20th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, I am most pleased to rise in the House to congratulate five members of the Crapaud Fire Department who made Canada proud at the recent International Firefighters Competition in Orlando, Florida. The team of Kent Clyke, Mike Craig, Dean Ferguson, Harold Taylor and Sandy MacQuarrie were the first among all Canadian teams and 17th overall at the Firefighter Combat Challenge.
Their success is especially significant because they are strictly a volunteer fire department—real volunteers—from a small rural community of 400 in P.E.I. What these men lacked in training facilities they made up for with commitment, determination and pure heart. The people of Crapaud must also be congratulated for the overwhelming support they gave their firefighters. Without this support their efforts would not have been realized.
Once again, congratulations on a job well done. All of Canada is proud of them.
Ice Breaking In Ports November 6th, 1998
Mr. Speaker, far from it. As I said earlier, 82% of the cost is covered by the Canadian taxpayer. The member opposite should be thanking us for that support.
In terms of the ports, there were four years of consultation on this issue. There is strong support from the port community in terms of what we are doing.