Mr. Speaker, in the House yesterday during Question Period the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Oceans stated that the groundfish licences of bona fide professional fishermen that had been frozen in 1991 would be returned at once. He made it clear that not all licences would be returned, only those of bona fide professional fishermen.
This is a move that will be supported by the various fishermen's associations. It is, I assure the House, most gratifying to have a Minister of Fisheries and Oceans who listens to the fishing industry and to the fishermen.
These licences are most important to the diversified, multi-licence traditional fishery and to the professional fishermen in my Carleton-Charlotte constituency.
The minister has proven that he understands and cares deeply for the traditional fishery. I would like to personally thank and congratulate the hon. minister for this most sensible and important move.