Let's be clear. This process for divesting has been long established within the ministry. It's to ensure that the taxpayer is protected and that there's a fair process and due diligence. Let's clearly establish that particular part.
Madam Deputy Minister, I want to come back to a question—because there are enforcement and protection personnel with you today—that goes back to when this committee was doing an earlier study. We were hearing from the director of public prosecutions. I was questioning her specifically and candidly. She did not answer me. She avoided the question I was putting to her, and it disturbed me.
It was related to—and I was very specific—egg-bearing female lobster, which is the basis of the east coast lobster fishery: Would it be illegal if somebody harvested that lobster, whether in commercial, ceremonial or moderate livelihood fisheries?
Could you give this committee the department's perspective? I would hope it would be that the possession of a lobster as I described would be viewed as illegal and that the department would prosecute or insist on prosecuting accordingly.