Thank you, Chair.
Thank you, Minister, for coming.
What you've heard so far from the official opposition is empty rhetoric—which consistently comes from opposition parties—relating to the management of the resource. That's what occurred for years. I'll paraphrase a former Progressive Conservative fishery minister, John Crosbie, who had to shut down a fishery that totally collapsed: It is extremely important for your department to get accurate stock assessments. We do that well in a number of fisheries. It is not always widely received and welcomed, but management is important. All the input we get on stock assessment is important, because we only want to make decisions that ensure the successful future of fisheries.
Madam Minister, I support the expenditures you're looking for before the House. The former Conservative government slashed small craft harbour funding for a number of years, which left harbours deteriorated.
My question for you, Minister, is on small craft harbours. I raised this with you before. It is about looking at the possibility of utilizing your harbour authorities jointly to manage the output and repairs in harbours, which can get the job done in a lot of cases faster and more cost-effectively.
Madam Minister, will you take it upon yourself to see that the amount of federal funding harbour authorities can use to improve their harbours is increased from what it is now?