I find this astounding. I come from the east coast, as I'm sure you know, and there are always various tensions within different fisheries, for different reasons. We have protests and demonstrations, many times organized by the fishermen's union, the FFAW. Occasionally somebody will get a bit out of hand, and there might be damage to a building or something. But my point is that when that happens, regardless of the circumstances, there are always charges laid. If found guilty, then those who did this pay.
I'm just flabbergasted, to be very honest with you, that this kind of thing can happen, that no charges be laid and someone be actually rewarded. My sense of it would be that in cases like this, there shouldn't be a reward; if anything, it should be the opposite.
It's just an observation, but I have to say to you, Mr. Chairman, in front of our witnesses and other committee members, that the fishery on the east coast is complex and one bloody tangle. I don't know if we'll ever sort it out. But I have to say that from the stories we've heard from the west coast, the situation is even worse. I didn't think it could get any worse than it is on the east coast, but I'm convinced now that it is.
I have problems understanding some of those situations and how they could get to the point they're at. To have a government department, or departments, not lay charges, and in essence reward someone....