It's not clear.
Evidence of meeting #3 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was companies.
Evidence of meeting #3 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 39th Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was companies.
President, Biorex Inc.
We do hope that what we were told maybe five months ago--that it was done--will be reconsidered by the new government.
NDP
NDP
President, Biorex Inc.
Yes. But I really don't know what the new government will do with this issue.
Peter Stoffer NDP Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS
My concern is, are we too late or is there still time?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Gerald Keddy
Just before Mr. Cummins takes the floor, Mr. Gagnon, do you have a copy of the independent audit by Gardner Pinfold?
Conservative
Conservative
John Cummins Conservative Delta—Richmond East, BC
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
And thank you, Mr. Gagnon, for your appearance here this morning.
The issue I'd like to address, if you wouldn't mind, is the issue of costs. In your presentation here it says that DFO reimburses OCs for coordination and administrative costs while fishers pay the OCs for costs directly related to the deployment of observers at sea and on shore about 70% of the total cost. The negotiation of those costs, then, is part of the bidding process, is that correct?
Conservative
John Cummins Conservative Delta—Richmond East, BC
So on this bidding process in the particular area that you're in now, the other companies would bid as well, under the normal circumstances?
President, Biorex Inc.
Yes. For instance, three years ago we bid for the present contract, and in this bid we had to enter the amount we would like to charge the industry. Every bidder puts in the amount, and there is a comparison of those prices that is part of the determination of the winning bidder.
Conservative
John Cummins Conservative Delta—Richmond East, BC
Part of the issue here, from the fishermen's point of view, is that observer costs are onerous, and obviously at times I think they feel they are unnecessary. We all recognize that there is a need, so I'm not debating that point, but the issue is that the costs are seen by fishermen as being a cost they'd like to limit.
So the question becomes, that during the bidding process, is there ever an agreement between companies as to what the fee would be for the at-sea observers? Is there any kind of agreement between the four companies?
President, Biorex Inc.
No. We're competitive companies. What our process does is define clearly what can be charged to the industry--for instance, for an hour at sea, for an hour on land, what is acceptable travel, what are the acceptable unit prices for travel, stuff like that.
Conservative