To sum up, the other major problem in the convention is the provision that would allow NAFO, with Canadian acquiescence, to intrude into Canadian sovereignty by establishing catch and quota regulations, including enforcement, inside Canadian waters up to and including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the shores of la belle province of Quebec, New Brunswick, P.E.I., and the west coast of Newfoundland. Under the existing convention, NAFO can't do anything in that respect.
Why is that there? There is no reason for it to be there, except that the parties on the other side of the negotiating table wanted it there. Then there's the arbitration provision, which we'll come back to.
The final point I would make is that former Minister Hearn stated that as a result of these negotiations and this package of amendments, “Canada is now the custodian of the fisheries resource”. He also stated, “Canada continues to achieve custodial management over the NAFO regulatory area.”
How in God's name does this package of amendments provide for custodial management over the NAFO regulatory area? There is no basis for that. That is hogwash. In fact these amendments are a far cry from the commitment to extend the 200-mile limit and exercise custodial management. If they're ratified, they will tie Canada's hands for decades.
Honourable members, it's not too late to fix this. The clock is ticking, but Parliament can refuse to ratify the proposed amendments and stop the process of bringing it into force. We call on you to take the steps to stop this process before it becomes too late, with tragic consequences.