Madam Chairman, obviously, if the cod fishery should close, a couple of thousand fishermen or more will be out of work because of the federal government's mismanagement of the fishery.
In a statement the minister made in Halifax he said “I'm trying to figure out what aid is available to communities that would be affected by the closure of the east coast cod fishery”. The article goes on to say “He has asked the provinces to inventory their programs as well”.
That hardly strikes me as a firm federal resolve to take full responsibility for another fisheries disaster happening on the federal watch.
A few minutes ago I think the member said that we did not need another TAGS program, that it would not serve the fishermen well. I am wondering what kind of options would be open to the federal government to compensate fishermen and their families. Should there be a package to help fishermen in this regard? What are the options open to the federal government in the member's opinion?