Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you both for being here today.
First, I want to clarify something that's been put out there. In fact, I asked this question early on when we knew this was coming up, by submitting an Order Paper question to the government in 2016 on the changes to the Fisheries Act in 2012-13. One of the specific things I asked was what harms or proof of harm to fish or fish habitat, attributed to the previous government's changes to these two acts, existed.
Even after the fisheries minister was here at committee on Tuesday, we still have not seen any proof of loss of habitat or harm to fish, so I want to first dispel the mistruth that there was lost protection. That's first and foremost. I want to know for myself. I put the question to the government and was never provided any proof of loss, even though I've asked multiple times.
Ms. Venton and Mr. Gibson, how do we remain competitive as Canadians or as Canada when we have probably the most restrictive management processes, I would say, almost anywhere in the world? Maybe it's not everywhere.
When we're competing with countries or organizations internationally that don't adhere to the same strict guidelines, principles, and regulations that we have here in Canada, how do we remain competitive? How can that fit into this bill? Either one of you can answer.
Mr. Gibson, you look like you're ready.