Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I would note that the member for Saint John who asked the question is an associate member of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. These are issues that have been raised at the committee level, and they are good questions.
Concerns have been expressed by various members-she being one and others on this side of the House-that perhaps there should be more power consolidated in the hands of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
When I invite the member-and I know she will be there-and other members to talk about the consolidation of power, we will have to look at the various areas about which she speaks including the environmental area. We will have to see if some of the areas should perhaps be moved to the minister of fisheries. We can find out the rationale from the officials. Why is certain power still being left with the minister of heritage as far as marine parks, for example, are concerned? Why is the Ministry of the Environment retaining certain authority in certain areas? They are very valid questions.
As we get into a study of the matter at committee level we will ask those questions of various officials. It is my hope that at the end of the day there could perhaps be more consolidation of some of these powers. I think the committee process has to work. We have to seek answers and reasons from the various departments on why some of the consolidation has not taken place.
Without prejudging the process I personally feel that the minister of fisheries who is given certain authority under the bill should have more. The hon. member should agree that as a committee we need to look at that as a possibility.
I thank her for her question. I look forward to working with her in committee.