Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you to our guests for your contribution.
I haven't heard anybody today or yesterday, frankly, step up and say this is all or nothing, or this is all good without any consideration of the potential impacts. I think people recognize the fact there will be impacts and are asking questions about those will be. I think the government that is negotiating this deal has some responsibility to share information on that and to recognize that people aren't stupid. They know that overall it may be good, but they've got to listen to and respond to some of the negatives.
Mr. Fiander, the point you make about the owner-operator fleet separation policy is dead on, as far as we're concerned. I always say that the best way to ensure a sustainable fishery is to make sure that the people who are fishing it have access to and own it, and that the ownership is adjacent to where people are fishing.
I remember having that discussion up in the south coast of Labrador with people from the Labrador shrimp company, and throughout Atlantic Canada.
I have been in discussion with some folks trying to nail down whether or not the owner-operator fleet separation policy is in jeopardy as a result of CETA. I have to tell you the sense I'm getting is, and I'm continuing to explore this, is that people are less concerned about CETA and more concerned about the TPP, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as that may have more of an impact on the programs you've spoken to.
I certainly think it's incumbent upon us, especially given the access to the resource, that we do everything in our power to protect the small boat fishery.