Evidence of meeting #29 for Fisheries and Oceans in the 43rd Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was need.
A video is available from Parliament.
6 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Chair, I believe my colleague Mr. Battiste had his hand up before I did.
6 p.m.
Liberal
Jaime Battiste Liberal Sydney—Victoria, NS
To Mel's point, I think the certainty that the fishermen needed was given by the minister addressing this year's concern. I realize that there's a longer concern that we need to address. As a Mi'kmaq person, I might not always agree with what DFO states, but I always want to hear the rationale as to why they made that decision, if for no other reason than to make sure that we don't make the same mistake again and have to do this again through committee.
I'm really curious to hear the officials speak, but I'm in agreement. It doesn't seem as though it makes a lot of sense, but I want to give them their opportunity to hear that. I think the urgency has been dealt with, but I also feel we need to ensure that when we're looking at how DFO is making decisions, we as a committee understand the rationale and how this came to be.
Right now, no one understands what that rationale was and I'm really curious to understand what that is. I would say that the urgency has been met with the minister's points. I believe there's one more committee meeting that Gord proposed for this issue, and then we're going to make our recommendations. I think we're all on the same page as of right now as to what those recommendations are, but we should really listen to hear our officials out, if for no other reason than to make sure that we don't make the same mistakes again.
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
Bobby Morrissey Liberal Egmont, PE
Mr. Chair, I need just a clarification. I have another meeting that I'm moving to. What's our timeline here? Do we need consensus to continue on?
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
If there are no other comments, we can adjourn now.
I see Mr. Johns has his hand up.
6:05 p.m.
NDP
Gord Johns NDP Courtenay—Alberni, BC
I think Mr. Arnold, Mr. Bragdon and I have made our point in regard to the minister that it isn't good enough. We are expecting a lot more, and so are the fishers and the coastal communities that rely on this fishery. We are expecting that the minister would be listening to their testimony and our concerns. However, I don't think we should continue the conversation at this point.
I think the point is clear. Mr. Beech can take back to the minister our feelings and share them with the minister.
We're not satisfied with that statement. If that was what the government was thinking, it didn't do the trick. It's not appeasing people.
6:05 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Ken McDonald
Thank you for that, Mr. Johns. I'm sure Mr. Beech heard you loud and clear and as well as I did.
Thank you, everyone. On that note, seeing no further hands up, the meeting is adjourned.