Since you work at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, you could bring this issue to the attention of your colleagues. It has become an increasingly significant problem in the St. Lawrence River, in my region. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.
Mr. Chair, I'm not sure how much we can ask our witnesses to provide information on this topic, given that it doesn't relate to our study. Perhaps we could receive a written list of the people to contact. We would be grateful for this.
I'll get back to our main topic. I'm from Saint‑Roch‑des‑Aulnaies, but I was born in La Pocatière, where the Bas‑Saint‑Laurent region begins. Our region is connected to the Bas‑Saint‑Laurent and Gaspésie regions through our local and regional television stations. We've heard over and over again, somewhat through the grapevine, that fishers have been extremely frustrated with the approach to issuing fishing licences, particularly when it comes to the percentage of fishing licences issued to the first nations. Some fishers or even groups of fishers outright believed that Ms. Lebouthillier, the former minister, had prioritized political interests over resource conservation, in some instances.
Do you have any opinion on the fact that these fishers have been quite vocal? In recent years, particularly in the past year and a half, I believe, they have voiced their dissatisfaction with the issuance of these licences.
Have you noticed or seen this too?