Yes, I'm going to entertain Mel's subamendment in a second.
With respect to the two studies, it's clear to me how that's going to unfold. I really do think that the study of the Fisheries Act is really critical. There's no question that over the last number of years there have been very many challenges with respect to the fishery on both coasts, and there are a lot of reasons for that. Some of it is environmental, and some of it transcends in other ways.
For me, the Fisheries Act and having the ability for all members and all parties to come to strengthen the Fisheries Act—which would hopefully triage some of the challenges we have and turn them into, hopefully, opportunities, but at least provide some solace on the water and on the ground—are really important.
I want to transition from that to some of the other things that were mentioned.
With respect to MP Perkins' motion, the spirit of it I agree with. Mr. Perkins put it very succinctly that the province wasn't involved in a potential agreement, but I do think that we need to do more around this committee with regard to bringing in.... I think we've done this with Newfoundland and Labrador to a degree, but I think we need to bring in the province on a lot of these items.
That's not to say that the federal government has zero responsibility. It has a major responsibility as the steward of the fishery, but the province has as well. A lot of the challenges we have.... It's easy to look at it as simply political, which we all do, but we also need to look at it as practical. There is a huge connection to the provincial governments in terms of cash sales, as Mr. Morrissey mentioned. I think we need to incorporate that in a lot of our motions going further.
The third thing is around Sipekne'katik. I do feel somewhat uncomfortable not including the current chief and council in any discussions with respect to a potential study. I think that's really important. I think there's a process and protocol that we need to be mindful of, and we should look at that as well.
I'll just sum up by saying this: I know that we can't, once again, invent more time, but we do also have a subcommittee. We may want to have that subcommittee look at how we parse out a schedule that really takes into account, as Mr. Perkins said, the most immediate challenges with the fishery and at the same time looks at the Fisheries Act. The Fisheries Act is a huge tool, and it's a huge opportunity for us to strengthen what is happening on the water.
I'll leave it at that, but I'm very concerned that we're seemingly pushing the Fisheries Act down the road and kicking the can. I do think that, yes, the Senate can review it and most likely will. However, I think we would be negligent if we don't do it ourselves. I think it would be wrong. We are the elected officials here.
Thank you.