Fisheries Committee on April 10th, 2008

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

Shall I report the bill as amended to the House?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

Shall the committee order a reprint of the bill as amended?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

I think our work is complete.

[Some hon. members]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

With the power invested in me, we aren't going back over this.

I don't know who had the power invested in me, but they did.

We're going to suspend for a few moments and then we're coming back to discuss Mr. Lévesque's motion.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

I call the meeting back to order.

François has passed around an electronic briefing book for the trip to eastern Canada. It has some great Atlantic Canadian and Quebec artists you can listen to on your way home.

We have a motion by Mr. Lévesque. I am going to read the motion, and then we'll have any discussion we need to have. The motion is that the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans call upon Fisheries and Oceans Canada to collaborate with Environment Canada so that in-depth research on the effects of environmental change on the condition of the eelgrass flats in James Bay can be conducted.

Mr. Lévesque.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I've received some prudent advice. In view of the fact that I would prefer to submit a report rather than simply a letter to the House, I'm going to ask the committee's permission to defer this motion to the next meeting. It will be held on April 29, I believe. Since we're talking about a report here, I would like to put a little flesh on the bone before explaining to the House why we're making this request.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

My advice to Mr. Lévesque is that it would be wise at this time to withdraw this motion and then enter another motion on April 29 in line with what your thought process is at that time.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Yes.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

So Mr. Lévesque withdraws the motion.

Any other business? We don't have to leave yet.

Mr. Blais.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

So I can speak for about 40 minutes? No, that's not really my intention.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

No. I'm going to have to exercise my authority once again.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I simply want to know who is going on the tour next week.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

As of now, Mr. Blais, we have confirmed me and you and Mr. Matthews, Mr. Mike Allen, Mr. Calkins, Mr. Kamp, Mr. Keddy, Mr. Lévesque, Mr. MacAulay, and Mr. Stoffer. Mr. Simms is pretty well there, from what I understand, but he should be back on schedule on Monday. He'll meet us in St. John's on Monday. So it's pretty well a full slate, with our staff. You're just talking about the members. We have three interpreters: French, English, and Newfoundland.

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

Will everyone be in Gaspé?

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

Will everybody be in Gaspé? I'm not sure of that. I will be in Gaspé.

Is there anyone who can't be in Gaspé that they're aware of now?

[Raynald Blais, Bloc, Gaspésie—Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC]

I would like to point out to you the efforts we've made, that I've made, to be present at every opportunity, regardless of where things take place. I remember very clearly going to a number of your committee meetings. I didn't hesitate to do so, even though it caused me a lot of scheduling problems.

I find it really disappointing that there are no representatives of the Conservative party apart from the Chairman. It's as though you think it fun and important for us to go to your ridings, but you don't see the importance in going elsewhere. I find it hard to understand that. I would like to tell you that directly rather than just think it. I find that disheartening and disappointing.

[The Chair, Conservative, Fabian Manning]

Mr. Lévesque.

[Yvon Lévesque, Bloc, Abitibi—Baie-James—Nunavik—Eeyou, QC]

Mr. Chairman, as regards the Sunday departure, is transportation provided from the Hill to the airport, or do each of us get to the airport on our own?

[The Clerk of the Committee, Ms. Julia Lockhart]

You all get there on your own.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

I'm going to fly there myself on Sunday, and that's okay, I guess. Second, I'd like to have a list of all the people, interpreters, etc., who are coming. If you could give that to George, I would appreciate it.

[The Clerk]

It went out in an e-mail yesterday.

[Lawrence MacAulay, Liberal, Cardigan, PE]

Thank you very much, ma'am. I appreciate it. You're very efficient.