Finance Committee on May 30th, 2012

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Peggy Nash]

Let me just clarify. The clock stops when the point of order is raised. I'm going to say again that I have said it's a point of debate and not a point of order.

I would just encourage all committee members to be respectful. It's fine to make a point on something, but we have to be respectful to the witnesses who have come here. It's fine to ask some questions and then to let them answer.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Madam Chair, could you inform me of how much time is left?

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Peggy Nash]

You have a minute and a half.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Mr. Weir, have you ever been a member of the New Democratic Party, or are you presently a member of the NDP?

[Erin Weir]

Yes, I've been a member of the New Democratic Party for 15 years.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Are you speaking on behalf of the United Steelworkers or are you speaking on behalf of the New Democratic Party?

[Erin Weir]

As you may be aware, the United Steelworkers union itself is affiliated to the New Democratic Party. It's no secret that I'm a member of the NDP or that I was an NDP candidate in the past. It's not as though you've unearthed some deep dark secret here.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

When you do policy for the United Steelworkers, are you doing policy based on what the NDP wants that policy to be or based on what the United Steelworkers need that policy to be?

[Erin Weir]

I've given you a presentation based on the experience that members of the United Steelworkers have had with foreign takeovers in the Canadian economy.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

Okay. I think I'm going to move on. I think I've proven my point, Madam Chair, that the credibility of this witness is definitely questionable because of his political ties and because of his motives politically in criticizing the budget bill, which the NDP would never vote for anyway. I think the situation is very clear in this case.

[An hon. member]

Crystal clear.

[Randy Hoback, Conservative, Prince Albert, SK]

I'll leave it there, Madam Chair.

[The Vice-Chair, NDP, Peggy Nash]

Mr. Simms.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Wasn't that a hoot.

For the sake of disclosure, I too was a candidate in 2004 for the Liberal Party. I'm a Leo and I enjoy long walks on the beach. I hope that helps my credibility. I'm not quite sure if it does or not.

I'd like to get back to the seismic activity issue. I heard some compelling words about the effects of seismic and cross-border relationships and upping the ante, as it were, but we didn't hear from Mr. Wright on this one, who has an opinion about seismic activity from a commercial side of it. Is there any way, Mr. Wright, that what you've heard here...? There are a lot of countries that don't have this. Is that correct?

[Richard Wright]

Don't have what?

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Don't have rules about seismic activity such as we do.

[Richard Wright]

There are a couple of separate issues here. One is the Coasting Trade Act as it pertains to importing foreign seismic vessels. In that particular issue, Canada is a little anomalous with Nigeria in its process for importing foreign-flagged ships.

The second issue is environmental protection. The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board has some of the most stringent regulations globally in terms of how seismic is monitored, marine mammals, and there are numerous studies ongoing in terms of its effect on fish species, etc., and shrimp.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Would the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board be affected by this?

[Richard Wright]

Not directly. I think there is a potential, if the budget amendment is passed and it's easier to import a foreign-flagged ship into Canada...it's likely there could be increased activity. The board would be affected in terms of having more activity to regulate.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

I see.

Back to our guests who were in favour. Mr. Zedel, would you like to—sorry, I probably pronounced that incorrectly.

[Prof. Len Zedel]

No, my parents chose Zedel. You got it right.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

I won't argue with your parents.

When you say that this has an egregious effect on species such as crab and shrimp, are you saying that the increased activity will have an effect on the spawning grounds, on biological migration?

[Prof. Len Zedel]

There will be impacts, and the degree is hard to judge.

[Scott Simms, Liberal, Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor, NL]

Is that the case in Norway? Mr. Wright pointed out that seismic activity is increased over there.

[Prof. Len Zedel]

It was in Norway where it was demonstrated that fishing catch rates were decreased in association with seismic surveys.