Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Lemire, I'd like to talk about the pelagic fishers in southern Gaspé. This is a major issue for me.
Initially, the criteria for exploratory licences for area 19 included all Gaspé citizens. Then there was a residency criterion.
Why were pelagic fishers on the south shore not allowed to acquire these licences, including the opportunity to participate in a random draw, when crab fishers, also on the south shore, received exploratory licences?
The indigenous communities of Listuguj and Gespeg, which are also on the south shore, were granted licences in area 19.
Why were pelagic fishers shut out?