Thank you for that. At least we know where we stand on that.
You said in your comments, and I think you said to the media as well, that section 35 actually came into force in 1977. There was some work done since then that culminated in the habitat policy of 1986, which of course has your name on it. I've had the opportunity many times over the years to read through it, and I agree with much that's in there.
What puzzles me is where the policy, early on in the national application section, says: The policy applies to those habitats directly or indirectly supporting those fish stocks or populations that sustain commercial, recreational or Native fishing activities of benefit to Canadians. In addition, Fisheries and Oceans recognizes its responsibility to protect and increase fish stocks and their habitats that have either a demonstrated potential themselves to sustain fishing activities, or a demonstrated ecological support function for the fisheries resources.
Just note this final sentence in that paragraph:In accordance with this philosophy, the policy will not necessarily be applied to all places where fish are found in Canada, but it will be applied as required in support of fisheries resource conservation.
Then in the glossary, fisheries resources basically is defined precisely in the way we're introducing in Bill C-38, to focus, it appears to me, Mr. Siddon, exactly in the way you agreed with in 1986.
Am I misunderstanding this?