Thank you, Minister, for being here today. I am always pleased to see a colleague and neighbour, whose riding is just south of my own.
I would like to discuss owner-operators. They weren't mentioned much in the report because the matter fell somewhat outside the scope of the study. Things aren't the same on the east and west coasts. It is accepted practice on the east coast for a fish harvester to own the licence and the catch, particularly in the case of lobster.
The late Christian Brun, the former executive director of the Maritime Fishermen's Union, did a lot of advocacy on that front, with the support of the region's fish harvesters. The risk of licences being transferred to outside interests still exists.
Do you have any plans to review the matter and take more than just policy measures?
It could be codified in legislation, in which case, I would suggest naming the act after Christian Brun.
I will now turn the floor over to you, Minister.