Mr. Speaker, the hon. member's question would be greatly helped if he knew something about the program and did not simply get his information from the front page of a central Canada newspaper.
Up to the first nine months of operations we have received over 52,000 applications. Thirteen thousand have been rejected because they were not eligible. It is not an easy get-on. Applicants must demonstrate a long term attachment to the fishery, which is a very clear requirement. They have to have actual weeks of employment in the fishery to determine it. If there are other criteria that are objected to, we will not accept it.
I have just told the hon. member that I will not accept abuse of the program. If anyone tries to get around the rules and tries to apply for TAGS when they are not eligible, I will disqualify them from the program. If the hon. member has any actual information, I would be glad to receive it.