I heard you clearly, but I heard some things that did not make me happy. I would tell you quite honestly that I presume that everyone is in good faith and I would never assume that anyone around this table would completely forget why they are here and not properly defend their constituents. If I ever do so in any way, I hope you will call me to order.
Having said that, the original motion, or possibly the amended version, would result in our studying the industry sector but forgetting the fact that the consequences are many and they go beyond the issue of licensing and crab management as such. There are repercussions. There are other forums where this work could be done, but the departments will have to work together to come to the assistance of the people who are experiencing these impacts. Many people are in a difficult situation, on top of the fishermen who are so seriously affected. I am thinking of those who are fishermen's helpers and those who work in the plants. They are really between a rock and a hard place because they are losing their jobs and hours of work. We know all that.
I could not understand how anyone would suggest that we are not defending our constituents well in order to influence us to vote for some motion or other. I cannot accept that. If ever I say such a thing, I hope you will repeat back to me what I have just told you. In fact, not only do I presume, I can see that everyone around this table is doing their best to do their job. We may have different perspectives on certain ways of proceeding. That is fine, it is part of the game. However, I would never dare personally attack anyone by saying that they are poorly defending or not defending their fellow citizens.
The problem is not that we wish to dispose of this issue or anything like that. I am also concerned by this aspect, but there are choices that must be made because there are studies. I am well aware of the fact that we have a Sword of Damocles hanging over our heads, which is the Fisheries Act. I am anxious for it to be referred to us so that we can study it. Then we will be able to touch on everything. Until then, there will be crises such as the one caused by the 63% reduction in the crab quota for area 12. We knew there would be reductions in the range of 40% to 50%, but not to 63%. We are seeing the impacts of that today.
That is why I would ask those who will continue to speak to this issue to be very careful and to not challenge the good will and efforts of people to defend their constituents. I cannot accept that.