Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I think the question of privilege is being raised because we've finally come to a head with this. I recall studies in the 42nd Parliament, and the issue around St. Marys Bay came up. We first learned about it because of the MPA, the protective process that was put in place through consultation and agreement with the harvesters in the area to protect the spawning and breeding areas of the lobster. That took place because of proper consultation, which is what the minister alluded to but clearly has not happened according to the evidence that Mr. Perkins has provided so far. He says that he'll be providing more.
I want to relate this matter to further studies the committee did on the smallmouth bass and the treatment of smallmouth bass in the Miramichi. I recall having department officials here and one of them stating that we could not use rotenone in Canada anymore. I knew at the time, and I probably should have raised it as a question of privilege, that rotenone was being used in Canada to treat water systems for aquatic invasive species.
It's just another case regarding the privileges of committee members, and I say all committee members on all sides of the House. When we are misled by testimony by witnesses, by department representatives or, at worst, by the minister herself, it is something that we cannot tolerate. We cannot do our work as a standing committee if we cannot trust the information that is provided to us. If we are being given misleading information, what faith can the stakeholders, harvesters and communities that rely on the fisheries have in ministers to manage departments in their best interests?
I think the whole process Mr. Perkins has raised has been boiling under the surface for an extended period of time. As I said, I can go back to the 42nd Parliament to cases of privilege that should have probably been brought up at that time, and we're now finally getting to raise these issues.
Mr. Chair, after you've heard the presentation of the information, I hope you will determine that it has the potential to be a question of privilege and raise it to the Speaker with a report from this committee.
Thank you.