Mr. Speaker, the member will know that no decisions have been taken on the question of the three cod stocks in question, two in the gulf and one off Newfoundland and Labrador.
He will also know that last year I made a decision to increase the amount of seals being harvested by establishing some flexible management practices. For only the second time in 25 years did we reach the quota. I also permitted an extension of the quota of some 30,000 animals and injected some $30 million to those affected communities, that was well received last year.
We have worked very hard with the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization to ensure that rules are better respected and we will continue to do so.