Okay. I have a couple of other questions.
Last year there were discussions about seven possible harbours for the Nunavut area. We notice in the budget that there was more development for Pangnirtung, and I'm sure that's greatly appreciated. But I spoke to a Nunavut representative yesterday and he asked me to ask you about the other six. I know you're working with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development regarding that. Where is that process now for the additional six wharves in Nunavut?
As well, as you know, I've been quite critical of previous and current governments regarding schedule 2 of the mining act, which basically puts the Fisheries Act to the side and allows certain mining companies to destroy perfectly healthy aquatic systems, as we see in Sandy Pond and Trout Lake in Newfoundland, and there are other lakes across the country that are slated, and some in Baffin Island have already been destroyed. With everybody now talking about the so-called shovel-ready projects, if I were a fish, a shovel would make me very nervous because it disrupts my habitat.
But I notice on page 55 of the report on plans and priorities, in regard to conservation and protection of fish habitat, for this year it's $32.8 million, but it's dropping to $28.8 million, so there's a loss of $4 million there.
As well, on page 52, the human resources for oceans management, habitat, science, and program enablers are scheduled to have 1,389 full-time equivalents, and you're going down to 1,324. That would lead somebody to believe that habitat and oceans management may be taking a bit of a hit financially on this one. Can you explain why those two areas are coming down?
Also, what is the government planning to do regarding schedule 2? I've been to Sandy Pond, and in my view, what they plan to do to that beautiful aquatic system is simply not on. Yet the department's role is the protection of fish and fish habitat. We hear the department constantly say that's what we need to do, yet we see evidence where some habitat is allowed to be destroyed for other reasons. Can you comment on that, please?
By the way, Michelle, thank you for the work you've done. Good luck on your move to where you're going.
To the associate, you can get rid of “associate” and just call yourself the deputy minister now. So there you go. Congratulations.