Good morning, everyone. Thank you for appearing before us to discuss the seal hunt issue. I'm a member of the Bloc québécois and I represent the people of the Gaspé Peninsula and Magdalen Islands.
First, I'd like to make a comment on the hakapik. With what we heard about it in St. Anthony yesterday and here today, it's surprising that your premier, Danny Williams, took the liberty of making the statement he made on the subject not very long ago. It didn't help the cause at all because, at the height of a crisis, he amused himself by telling us that we should review the use of the hakapik. Let me tell you I found that inconsistent with and irrelevant to the debate we're currently involved in.
I don't think that helped us because, when you present your point of view before people, there should be an exchange based on the facts, on the truth. If you amuse yourself by making apologies or negotiating your way of doings things, you're losing from the outset. Although I very much respect Mr. Williams and I think he is paying a lot of attention to the seal hunt issue, I don't think he helped you, or us either, when he made that statement.
Furthermore, I would like you to provide us with slightly more detailed comments than those of Mr. Simms on the strategy of the Canadian government and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. I think the work should be done by Fisheries and Oceans Canada. That department should be the leader in this strategy, in cooperation with the people from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade or any other department that could potentially help. Somewhere a leader is needed on this issue.
Mr. Winter, first of all I'd like to hear your comments on the ineffective strategy that has been used to date. What conditions would be necessary for it to be effective? What alternative solution or procedure do you suggest for it to become effective?