Madam Speaker, it is a pleasure to rise again on what looks like the end of our odyssey. We have had a good debate. I appreciated the last several interventions from the Bloc with wit and brevity which, as we have said, is a delightful fact in a debate on a hot, muggy Ottawa afternoon.
The suggestions made in the debate have been valuable. I have listened and I have heard what has been said. There is a distinction between those two phrases. It is part of the government's attitude to respect parliamentary debates and to acquire wisdom from the process of give and take. On that basis we can certainly look forward to a valuable third reading.
I have to make some comments on the motions as presented which are without prejudice to positions I might take on third reading.
In the atmosphere of goodwill that attends us in the twilight hours of this debate I hate to say that Motion No. 77 would create an administrative nightmare and an expensive one at that. It would obligate the minister to calculate the costs of the facility or service for each beneficiary on a sector specific basis. It would provide an administrative, expensive, time consuming need to calculate cost per individual user. It would rigidly and arbitrarily preclude the minister from choosing any other fee implementation scheme, even if it were preferred by the beneficiaries.
The government feels this would not meet favourably with the many Canadians who have expressed to us that they want to avoid excessive governmental regulation.
Motion No. 79 proposes the same thing. The minister has to calculate the cost of providing a protected right and privilege to each beneficiary on a sector specific basis. The government feels that would be impractical.
With respect to Motion No. 81, technically we feel it is incorrect. Clause 49 refers to fees in respect of regulatory processes or approvals. The proposed amendment refers to the use of facility or service. Therefore, technically the motion is not relevant to the provision it seeks to modify.
Motion No. 83 concerns clause 50 of the act which pertains to consultation and publication requirements. It would obligate the minister to consult with all beneficiaries before fixing a fee and to seek a recommendation from the Marine Advisory Board regarding the proposed fee. It would obligate consultation in perpetuity. We think it would be an administrative nightmare and on that basis we suggest against its adoption.
Bloc Motion No. 84 deals with the same clause. It would obligate the minister to consult with the provinces before fixing a fee. We do not think the minister should be so obligated.
Motion No. 85 deals with clause 50. We feel it again attempts to fetter the discretion of the minister.
Motions Nos. 86 and 87 were put forward by the hon. member for Skeena who has made very thoughtful contributions to the parliamentary committee and in this debate. Motion No. 86 would allow any interested person the right to object within 30 days of publication. The minister must appoint an investigator. It would be a very heavy administrative burden with astronomical costs at a time when we are stressing economy: cutting back on big government and costs.
The Canada Oceans Act is based on consultation, co-operation and partnership. It is in that spirit that we have approached it. We are therefore recommending that members reject Motions Nos. 77, 79, 81, 83, 84, 85, 86 and 87.
We believe the act will provide the legislative foundation upon which federal, provincial and territorial governments can work in a full spirit of co-operative federalism, sharing in decision making on a basis of functional utility in the good interests of all Canadians. In recommending the rejection of these motions, nevertheless, I assure hon. members that I have benefited by their valuable contributions to the debate and that I will pass on their views to the government.