Mr. Speaker, I cannot believe my ears. I have run into the previous speaker before in committee, but his comments make me feel like I am on a different planet. I will try to explain why.
He went on and on about his fears regarding habitat protection, how the provinces would not be equal to the task. Unless something got lost in translation, but that is clearly what he meant.
He feared that the federal government might delegate some rights to the provinces, thereby undermining federal control over habitat conservation. I want to reassure him. Clause 9 in part I of the bill-which I find irritating-provides that the delegation of powers only applies to licences and related rights, that is to say, the money that may go with this.
What intrigues me the most-and makes me feel like I am on another planet-is the source of the new rights the minister gives himself in part II on habitat conservation. They are encroaching on the jurisdiction of the provinces, especially Quebec, which owns all the water resources and hydroelectric dams within its borders. People can figure it out for themselves. Is this his way of compromising our entire economic development?
This is not the worst bill of the century, but an attack against the provinces.
Can the hon. member admit that the provinces have done a good job in the past 100 years; that the federal government is interfering in an area of provincial jurisdiction; that the provinces have done a good job of preserving habitats; and that, if it wanted to make the
new fisheries act fully consistent, the federal government should delegate more powers in this area and amend part II as it now stands?
All he has to do is compare the current version of part II with what was in the old law to see there is a huge difference. This is a major case of federal interference in an area of provincial jurisdiction, and they dare tell us that they will seek our agreement, that they will work in partnership with us. This is off to a very bad start, and second reading is on the principle, and I do not hold out much hope for principles.