I'm talking about a one-shot $100 million aid program. That would mean about $7 million for Quebec. Each provincial commission should have the flexibility to attend to their respective priorities, since the reasons favouring rationalization vary from one province to another. In terms of spending the $100 million, we should have a certain amount of flexibility when it comes to spending the money, which should help us cover part of our costs. In my view, we would be penalized by the rules of international trade if we decided to provide one-shot assistance to the industry and to the lobster fishers.
Talks were initiated in the agricultural sector and the subject of the fishery was also on the agenda. However, no agreement was reached and the country is not likely to agree on cuts to agricultural subsidies any time soon. International trade rules are cited as one reason for not helping out the lobster industry at a time when the industry is threatened with extinction. This obstacle must be overcome. This is a $1 billion industry that requires a direct injection of $100 million in federal funds.
I can appreciate that investing in economic development is not a bad move. Tens of millions have been allocated to the provinces for that purpose, but it isn't enough. That is not going to save our industry. Quite often, the money does not reach its intended target. Marketing is handled by agencies. Despite my very pessimistic projections, if you really want to make sure that the resource is not seriously threatened in the medium and long term, as we are seeing with other species, then we need $100 million to be divided up among the federal-provincial commissions. That is what we really need in the short term.