Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to give my regards to the hon. member for Egmont, who was the chair of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in the last parliament. I understand the hon. member is familiar with the issue, but I would like to see if he will be more progressive than his party, he who had such progressive ideas regarding Bill C-27.
First of all, I would like to ask him a question. The Bloc Quebecois has indicated its intention to support the principle of Bill C-27, adding however that we have much to do this spring, and this week in particular, besides debating Bill C-27.
Regarding the rationale for this bill, the government claims it will enable it to implement the agreement, which is not true since it can do so without our consent.
If it takes the time to ask for our consent, then we should be able to take the time to go into the details. I say details because the UNFA is not wishful thinking nor a collection of generalities.
I would like to know if the hon. member plans to put pressure on his minister to ensure, in return for the favour we are doing him this week by discussing Bill C-27, that the Atlantic groundfish strategy is renewed as soon as possible and that work on the crab management plan for zone 12 is progressing so that it can be tabled by the end of the week. Finally, I would like the hon. member to tell me if his government has started giving some thought to what type of fisheries and vision of the future it will put forward.
Does he at least plan to put pressure on his minister to hold consultations in this respect? The hon. member opposite, who is a good man, listed and described the various penalties but I am still waiting for him to talk about policy thrusts. For example, what fishing gear and vessel should be favoured in view of the size of the fish that will be allowed to be caught in the future, since there is a decline in fish stocks, as we know.
I would like to hear the hon. member for Egmont on this point.