Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, what share of fishing licences and quotas are held by independent harvesters residing in coastal communities as opposed to large corporations or financial holdings? What is the proportion of fishing licences and quotas?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I understand that the proportion varies according to the species and the location. I will ask another question along the same lines. What percentage of seafood landings are processed in coastal communities?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I am surprised by how quickly time has passed. I will skip a few questions. I just got back from the Magdalen Islands, where I met with people who use the port of Cap-aux-Meules. Will the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Transport Canada come to an agreement to better meet the needs of those who use this infrastructure that is critical to economic development in the Magdalen Islands?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I know many people who work for the Coast Guard on the St. Lawrence River. I share the minister's joy. However, my question has to do with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, whose members are volunteers. I will give the minister the answer: It costs them between $4,000 and $5,000 to gear up safely in order to voluntarily participate in saving lives.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I am pleased to hear that. I hope the volunteers of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary have heard that they may get some financial support. While we are on the subject, may I also suggest that the old Canadian Coast Guard ships be modified, refitted and offered to the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, since they do not have suitable ships either?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the minister just said that she supports independent harvesters and coastal communities. Does she feel that the policies and regulations that protect them are being respected?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, how many quota transfer violations are currently under review?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I would also like to know how many sociologists work at DFO. In addition, are there other social science experts working at DFO and, if so, what types of experts?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the minister just opened a new door with her mention of data. What we are hearing on the ground is that there is a lot of missing data regarding certain species, in particular pelagic species, and especially in the St. Lawrence. Does the minister think that DFO has enough ships?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, does the Coast Guard have sufficient capacity? Does it have enough vessels? Unfortunately, the answer seems to be “no”. Does DFO have a plan for rectifying this? Without measures, it is difficult to make informed decisions.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, while we are on the subject of the Coast Guard, I would like to talk about the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary. The St. Lawrence River is magnificent. It is one of the most beautiful rivers in the world, but it is also one of the most complex and perilous to navigate.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I really want to talk about the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, which is made up of volunteers. Does the minister know how much the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary teams have to spend in order to be properly equipped when they respond to calls?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, earlier, the minister said that the DFO scientific team included economists and sociologists. Could the minister tell us how many economists are employed by DFO?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, in closing on this subject, what can the fishers hope for as they listen to us today from the Gaspé knowing they have no more work? Given that the fishers who depend on the herring and mackerel fisheries will have nothing to eat tomorrow, what can they hope for from the minister and her department as we speak in the House right now?

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, what role does local knowledge play in the decisions made by Fisheries and Oceans Canada? Is there a place in all this for the local people, the fishers, their views and their observations? They are the ones out there doing the work. What role does the minister think this local knowledge plays?