I could not agree more. People have to appreciate the distinction between animal welfare and animal rights. Many of these animal rights groups hide behind the notion of animal welfare, and they will play the game of talking about humane standards, sustainability, and so on.
When your industry in particular proved the point that you are humane and that the populations of seals are sustainable, these groups morphed into animal rights groups, which they always were—well-funded animals rights groups; most of them have budgets bigger than most small towns in Newfoundland and Labrador. Then they showed their true colours. These are fundraising tools to advance the cause of animal rights.
Mr. Dakins, I think your point, the distinction between animal rights and animal welfare, needs to be appreciated. We all believe in and strongly support the notion of animal welfare, but animal rights are completely another thing. I think you used the word “dangerous” and I think you're absolutely right.
I go back to the statements by Jean Crowder and Françoise Boivin, two NDP MPs who are on the record as stating very clearly that animals should be given the same rights as people, and I find that truly appalling. I go back to the question, once the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, and indeed all the sealing communities in Canada, understand the implications of this, what do you think they'll think about this?