Mr. Speaker, I have a few comments and questions. It is important for those watching today to understand exactly what has taken place.
We are debating today a private members' bill that has been before the House numerous times, as indicated by the actual mover of the debate who was the last speaker. She indicated a witness list. We should also indicate that of the witnesses that appeared before the committee many were opposed to it, including the National Association Active in Criminal Justice, the Canadian Criminal Justice Association and the Church Council on Justice and Corrections.
I hear members of the Reform Party throwing jibes at these witnesses: the Church Council on Justice and Corrections, the Criminal Lawyers Association, the Canadian Bar Association made up of prosecutors that prosecute those people who are charged, the John Howard Society, and the Elizabeth Fry Society. The John Howard Society said that the bill and the intimidation tactics used to support it were regrettable.
It is important for people to understand what debate was interrupted today by members of the Reform Party. It was a debate dealing with fish stocks. It is important for people and fishermen in British Columbia to understand that the important issues affecting them and affecting the fishermen in Atlantic Canada were interrupted by a tactical manoeuvre by the Reform Party, which says it is a populist party, to play games and get this issue before the House.
I make that comment so that fishermen on both sides of the country will understand that if we do not get to the fish stocks debate, which is crucial to the livelihood of fishermen, it is because members of the Reform Party wanted to play this game and make certain political points with a bill that has already been debated in the House numerous times.
I direct my comments in that vein. They are important for members to understand.