Madam Speaker, by tabling Bill C-98, the oceans act, the government has taken a step toward the recognition of offshore areas of the sea and protection of the resources in those areas. I feel this is a very good initiative.
As I see it the bill has three objectives: to recognize in domestic law Canada's jurisdiction over its maritime zones, to establish the legislation framework to support Canada's new oceans management regime, and to consolidate federal responsibilities for managing Canada's oceans. However there appears to be a great deal of overlap and duplication.
Can the government member explain to me where the duplication overlap are being eliminated in the bill? What measures in the bill reduce the level of bureaucracy? Why are the departments of environment and natural resources still in charge of oceans environmental and geological research? Why does the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans still have to receive authority from the foreign affairs minister for regulations under clause 25? Why does
the minister have to seek authority from the Minister of Justice to make regulations under section 26(1)?
I feel very strongly that having 14 different ministers overseeing this matter makes it difficult. We should have one department and one minister, that is the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.
Could the hon. member tell us exactly how we could make these changes and eliminate all the duplication?