It is because I am a fellow who grew up in a village where I saw my friends' survival depend on the lifestyle that existed there and that was dependent on the fishery. When I was young, we joined Canada. That is when all sorts of new possibilities and new opportunities where presented to us. These were possibilities linked to education, to going to work on the mainland rather than on the island.
However, our culture and our villages remain deeply nestled in our hearts, even though many of us got an education and left these villages. That is the very raison d'être of Newfoundland. That has always been, and will also continue to be. We are not alone. The same thing goes for the North Shore, from the Maggies to Blanc-Sablon, to the coast of New Brunswick and of Nova Scotia.
It is difficult for us to understand these Canadians from elsewhere. When we talk to these Canadians who have never seen villages, we realize that they understand absolutely nothing about fishing. They do not understand when we talk to them about the work involved in the cod fishery, and when we tell them that in the shrimp fishery there is no work, just money. They ask themselves questions and say that there is money to be made in both fisheries. Yes, but there is work in one area. We are able to remain in our villages thanks to this work.
That is why I am so passionate. That is why I reject what is contained in these amendments that are presently before Parliament and that are somewhat opening the door to foreigners. My experience tells me that if you give the Europeans an inch, they will take a mile. That is why I hold these opinions, sir.