moved for leave to introduce Bill C-262, an act to establish the rights of fishers including the right to be involved in the process of fisheries stock assessment, fish conservation, setting of fishing quotas, fishing licensing and the public right to fish and establish the right of fishers to be informed of decisions affecting fishing as a livelihood in advance and the right to compensation if other rights are abrogated unfairly.
Mr. Speaker, the bill was introduced in the last parliament and was a votable bill. It enjoyed support from both sides of the House. Unfortunately the government could not see fit to support it as strongly as members on this side of the House. Nonetheless, it encouraged a lot of debate on the topic of fish and fishermen's rights. I know that technically this is called the fishers' bill of rights. However, being from the old school, I still call them fishermen.
This is a bill to establish the rights of fishers, including the right to be involved in the process of fisheries stock assessment, fish conservation, setting of fish quotas, fishing licensing and the public right to fish. It establishes the right of fishers to be informed of decisions affecting fishing as a livelihood in advance, and the right to compensation if other rights are abrogated unfairly.
Given one of the position papers just brought down by the government with regard to fishermen, I am sure we will enjoy more support on that side of the House.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)