I withdraw those comments, Mr. Speaker. The point is well taken.
The minister still has an opportunity to reach a settlement with native and non-native fishers, but to do so he must show leadership. Leadership requires taking a position and having a plan. The government did not have a plan A let alone a plan B.
I state once again that this is about lack of leadership and the lack of confidence fishers have that their livelihoods are being protected. It is also about lack of confidence by first nations that the government intends to integrate them into the fishery. Separate seasons, no conservation and no way to regulate the native fishery will not integrate natives and non-natives in this fishery. It will and has caused violence. Believe me when I say that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
I mentioned earlier that Chief Justice Binnie stated in the Marshall case that the 1760 treaty right was always subject to regulation. This is not complicated. This right was always subject to regulation. Fishery representatives have stated from the beginning that the industry can accommodate the gradual integration of first nations if they fish the same seasons and have the same licensing structure and same regulations as non-natives.
We all know that because of the supreme court ruling we now have an important new player in the fishery. If the government had shown any leadership at all, we would not be in the situation we are in tonight.