Once again I'm hoping that using the word “must” will increase accountability and transparency, and I echo the minister's testimony at this committee on February 5, in which he talked about the bill having teeth. The particular section we're looking at here is subclause 74(4), which would say that if an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that an offence under this act has been committed, they must direct a vessel that is about to enter or is within Canadian waters or in the exclusive economic zone of Canada to stop, to proceed through the waters in a way that the enforcement officer may specify, to proceed out of the waters, or to remain outside the waters. Again, saying “must” instead of “might” gives it much more teeth.
We heard evidence—for example, the case of the Farley Mowat making its way into Shelburne harbour—about how, under the cover of darkness and without permission, vessels will push their way into our waters. Good intentions from this government do not mean that future governments will themselves be held in the same way. I encourage the committee to vote yes to including the word “must” in this direction to the minister.