Fisheries Committee on Nov. 17th, 2009

[Gerry Byrne, Liberal, Humber—St. Barbe—Baie Verte, NL]

We recognize that it is normal procedure to report within two days, given the timeframe the government has designated for discussion of this by the Parliament of Canada. Our own timeframe is quite short—it's assumed we will suspend as of Monday, November 24. Because of these circumstances, would it be possible to ask you to report this to the House tomorrow?

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

You've heard the advice that I've obviously just received. It is possible, and certainly the clerk will check to see if it's possible to do it tomorrow. Obviously, if it is at all possible, certainly we can report it to the House tomorrow. But there are other approvals that need to be made before we can do that.

Monsieur Blais.

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

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I just want to make sure of one thing. Next Thursday, we are supposed to hear from witnesses who are coming from all across Canada to talk about small craft harbours. They will be coming from Canada's five regions. If I understand correctly, we set aside one hour for them, and possibly two. In light of the fact that there will be five people from all across Canada, from the Atlantic and from elsewhere, I would like to make sure that they get two hours. We have to make sure that these people have the time to give us their views on small craft harbours. Given the fact that these people are going to allow us to better grasp what is actually going on across Canada in this matter, I feel that it would be better if the two-hour session were set aside for their testimony.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

I don't see an issue with that, Monsieur Blais. The second hour is set aside for consideration of the report, so if more time is required and the committee feels it is worthy of continuing, I don't see any issue with that whatsoever. We want to make sure that we hear all testimony and have a thorough hearing of all points of view. We want to make sure that is taken into consideration.

All right. Having dealt with that, now we'll move to consideration of the draft report that you have before you. Does everybody have a copy?

Mr. Calkins.

[Blaine Calkins, Conservative, Wetaskiwin, AB]

Mr. Chair, in light of the fact that we've just moved and passed the motion by Mr. Byrne, the report at this particular point is redundant. Notwithstanding the excellent work of our analyst, I would suggest we have heard the testimony. A motion has been made. There was nothing in the terms of reference of this study to begin with that required a report to be tabled or a report to be discussed. There are other pressing issues that this committee could be looking at. We've belaboured this issue for long enough, and I would seek the consent of my colleagues at the committee to move on to some other item on the work agenda and be done with this issue for now.

The members opposite have their motion passed. They have the ability now to do what they want with that elsewhere in the parliamentary process. I don't think we need to belabour this issue any more.

[An hon. member]

Hear, hear!

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Thank you, Mr. Calkins.

Mr. Stoffer.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

I don't often say this, but I actually agree with my Conservative counterpart, and I want to thank François for the great work he did.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

Is it the wish of the committee that we move on to other business?

[Some hon. members]

Agreed.

[The Chair, Conservative, Rodney Weston]

So be it. We will move on to other business.

We will reconvene on Thursday at 2:30.

Thank you. The meeting is adjourned.