Thank you, Mr. Kamp.
You're absolutely correct. We are dealing with an act that was written in 1868, and the last substantial amendments were in 1977.
Currently the minister is required to manage a very wide range of project-related impacts to fish habitats for all species. We're focusing, through the changes in sections 32 and 35 of the act primarily, on aboriginal, recreational, and commercial fisheries. We think it's important to do this.
We've had a lot of feedback from Canadians all across the country about the role of Fisheries and Oceans in many things they would not consider to be essential to the management of fisheries and certainly the long-term prosperity of the fishery. You know I've spoken about issues including such things as farmers' ditches. There are a number of them straight across the country that are frustrating for people, and quite frankly frustrating for the department because it's hard for us to manage all of those small projects.
We think it's best that our focus be on the fishery and the sustainability of the fishery. We thing the role of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans should be fish and fish habitat and long-term sustainability and prosperity for the country.