I want to apologize to our witnesses. Obviously, you are hearing some very partisan comments back and forth. You are also hearing some frustration from the opposition side where we feel that this process has been rushed, and we wanted, indeed, to have a very inclusive consultation and review from coast to coast to coast in looking at our first nations, our traditional fisheries, as well as our commercial fisheries on both sides of our country. Again, I do want to apologize. I think you've heard from Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Arnold, and earlier me, our frustration is that this is a rushed process.
Ms. Gaertner, I again apologize that we seem to have been cutting you off. To Mr. Donnelly's comment, there have been a number of first nations groups, as well as industry and commercial groups, that have not had the opportunity to appear before this committee. I do apologize for the partisanship that you are seeing and experiencing. I want to once again reaffirm that this is very important to all sides, and we are taking this very seriously. Unfortunately, we have very little time to do this, now that I have used two minutes of my time to make some soapbox comments.
I'll go back to our friends with the Prospectors and Developers Association. Our colleague across the way, in her leading questions, was trying to get you, in your testimony, I believe, Mr. Pickard, to say that somehow the changes in 2012 weakened the Fisheries Act and made it easier for industry to do business. I want to once again give you an opportunity because I think you were cut off. You started to say that it was much the same as the operational statements in the previous Fisheries Act. Can you elaborate on that, please?