Ethics  Mr. Speaker, as I said several times yesterday, the minister has been very proactive on this. He contacted the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner regarding his friendship with Mr. Irving. The department will implement a rigorous process to ensure that the minister is not in a conflict of interest.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, as I said before, the minister took the initiative of informing the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of his friendship with Mr. Irving and asking her for advice. The commissioner recommended that the minister's staff use screening measures. The minister will follow to the letter all of the advice provided by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

Canadian Coast Guard  Mr. Speaker, at the Department of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, we are well aware that we must protect our oceans and our ecosystems. To do that, we are going to invest in Coast Guard vessels, the patrol vessels that will protect our oceans, and ensure that our fleet is up to date.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, Canadians expect our government and its minister to be held to a high standard of ethics. The minister already raised this issue with the deputy minister and the department. The commissioner's recommendations will be followed to the letter. In the meantime, the minister will fully comply with the rules already established by the commissioner.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, the minister took the initiative of informing the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of his friendship with Mr. Irving and asking her for advice. The commissioner recommended that the minister's staff use screening measures. The minister will recuse himself from any discussions or decisions involving Mr.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, as I said, our government and ministers will always demonstrate high ethical standards. The minister has already raised this issue with the commissioner, the deputy minister and our department. The minister will always follow to the letter the recommendations made by the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, once again, as I said, the minister took the initiative to inform the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner of his friendship with Mr. Irving and seek guidance. The commissioner recommended screening measures for the minister's office, and the minister will recuse himself from any discussion or decision involving Mr.

Government Appointments  Madam Speaker, I am well aware of the importance of the shrimp fishery to those who depend on it. The Northern Shrimp Advisory Committee met on March 3, 2016, to discuss the approach to take on interim quotas and the last in, first out policy. The ministerial advisory panel is an independent committee that provides advice to the minister on the last in, first out policy.

Government Appointments  Madam Speaker, as I just said, the ministerial advisory panel is an independent panel mandated to advise the minister on the last-in, first-out policy. Once again, the panel met and will meet a number of times over the coming weeks and months. All stakeholders in this segment of the fishery will have an opportunity to express their views.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, restoring the eligibility age for old age security and guaranteed income supplement benefits to 65 will put thousands of dollars back in the pockets of Canadians as they become seniors and begin looking forward to their retirement. This measure will help vulnerable seniors who depend on old age security benefits.

Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1  Mr. Speaker, before I begin, a very important day is being celebrated this Sunday, Mother's Day. I want to take this opportunity to wish a happy Mother's Day to all mothers in the world, but especially my mother, my mother-in-law, and my wife for our two beautiful daughters. I am pleased to rise today to speak to Budget Implementation Act, 2016, No. 1. and its important role in helping revitalize the economy and provide greater support to middle-class Canadians.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, once again, I want to reassure the public. The Canadian Coast Guard is very serious about its mandate to keep pollutants out of the environment, and it is ready to intervene at any time. We have also been meeting with the member for Salaberry—Suroît to update her on developments from the beginning.

The Environment  Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Salaberry—Suroît for her interest in the Kathryn Spirit. As we know, the Canadian Coast Guard plays a vital role in saving human lives and protecting our waters. It is responsible for responding to all incidents of pollution caused by a vessel in Canada.

Business of Supply  Madam Speaker, I have a question for my colleague. My NDP colleague, the member for Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, mentioned a number of former members and Conservative Party MPs who were in a bit of trouble considering some of their actions in the past. I am not about to go down that rabbit hole, since there are so many examples of this behaviour that I am likely to forget some.

Canadian Coast Guard  Mr. Speaker, we welcome the study by the parliamentary committee. We will listen to the concerns being expressed. Centres across Canada are equipped with radio communication technology that has been regularly tested and is safe. The Canadian Coast Guard analyzed the recording of the garbled message presented to the committee on March 10.