Mr. Chair, ladies and gentlemen, my name is Luc Legresley and I represent the Quebec region. First, I want to thank the committee members for allowing us to be here today and for hearing our perspective. I think that we are directly involved with communities and fishing harbour users. What is important, today, is that the individuals appearing before you will tell you the truth about what is happening locally.
I believe that you have already received my prepared brief. So I do not need to repeat the budget data on fishing harbours. Everything is included in the document you received and it is a fairly clear portrait of the situation in Quebec.
Today, it is important, I believe, to look at various funds. Quebec's concerns are as follows: the collection of duties; the lack of funding; the devolution, or if you prefer, the transfer program; dredging, an extremely serious issue in the Quebec region; staff renewal within port authorities, an issue that truly requires our full attention. Added to this are the severity and number of storms.
I can tell you that on December 22 of last year, the Gaspé region suffered a terrible storm that I will always remember. It was so intense that we could no longer see one of the fishing wharves; it was totally buried under the waves. Imagine if there had been boats tied up at that wharf.
I have another concern. We now have $200 million, and people are happy, but what about after? This cannot be the end of it; it has to continue. Decisions made within government will be extremely important for the Harbour Authority Program.
Thank you very much.