The fishery being what it is, Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages it this way. I have no solution. However, we have to understand that small craft harbours have problems that are not just seasonal. The problems may increase during some periods, but many harbours have problems throughout the year; they are crowded throughout the year. In some periods, they may not even be accessible at all, something that causes even more problems.
In answer to your question, I don't have a solution. Many harbour authorities have defended the way they manage their facilities, but as I said—and we often hear this—many ports are crowded all year. Others are generally less crowded, but become crowded at certain times of the year. We have to be aware of the problem.
We are talking about harbour authorities. Of course, we pay top wharfage, but when you travel between two or three harbours a season, it all adds up. Here is what I am coming to. The issue was raised a little earlier. Harbour authorities do very good work within the system, in my view. To sell harbour authorities to Canadian fishers—particularly fishers in the Magdalen Islands—the current government has said very clearly that we needed to work with harbour authorities, and that it would be there when we needed it for major investment. The government said that we had every interest in working with them, that our interests would be looked after and that everything would be fine. The fishers accepted that in good faith. Port authorities are very good about minor work, facilities are very clean, and power, power outlets and small jobs are all dealt with and work very well. However, we should not let that make us believe that fishers can afford secure harbours, and that sort of thing. It's unthinkable. In any case, that is not the purpose of the exercise. I should tell you that some harbour authorities often feel quite alone, and perhaps even forgotten. We have every interest in trying to invest more in small craft harbours.
Thank you.