Madam Speaker, I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on a subject of such great importance to the region I represent, the subject of fisheries.
There is a great sense of urgency to this debate on the fishery situation, for many fishermen on the North Shore. For many families in my riding, especially those living between Kegaska and Blanc-Sablon on the Lower North Shore, it is a matter of absolute necessity, a question of survival. The family income comes only from fishing. A real solution must be found.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans has just announced its management plan for next season: a complete moratorium on cod and cuts of up to 100% in crab fishing in certain areas. Does the federal government realize, as it makes its announcements, that all these fishermen have no other income? Is the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans aware that behind the banks of fish, he is managing the economy of an entire region, and many of its residents and taxpayers? Although I understand the situation and the crisis, I am asking myself some very serious questions.
For the department, the need for rapid and effective intervention, especially the latter, is very clear, otherwise this debate would not be taking place. Even the fisheries minister's own constituents are so disturbed, dissatisfied and worried about the situation, about the offers they are receiving, that they are threatening to fish despite the bans. Would they be wrong, looking at the resource, since the fish stocks are in danger of extinction? With their livelihood at stake, who could blame them?
Two things are clear. The moratorium on cod, while it is necessary, is also unacceptable. The need to save the species is unanimously approved, but that does not in any way attenuate the socio-economic effects and impacts. What is even more unacceptable is the government's inertia in this issue, which was just as obvious last fall as it is now. Last fishing season's catches on the Atlantic coast were sufficient to predict the present crisis.
But the minister did nothing. In other words, he let the fire smoulder on, and when it finally burst into flame, he yelled,“Fire”. But it was too late. Now it is a fire that has to be put out. And there are definitely not enough firefighters.
The difference is that last fall there was still time to prepare for the current fishing season. There would have been enough time to put in place concrete measures not only to protect the fish but also for people to survive. The government's lack of vision is appalling and its humanism is dubious. It must face up to it today.
I am not and I do not pretend to be a scientist, but I know that one seal eats a lot of cod, and this has been a known fact for years. Does the fisheries and oceans minister want us to believe that studying the impact of seals on groundfish would be useful? It would cost $6 million. The Fisheries Resource Conservation Council is saying that seals are the main reason cod stocks are dwindling.
It would be $6 million down the drain. The idea of seal exclusion zones is excellent, as long as it is not another excuse to undertake endless studies and is done in a rational and efficient manner.
The cod moratorium is costing 400 hundred jobs on the Lower North Shore alone. One could easily believe fishermen could go turn to other species, but for that you need alternate resources. Eighty-five per cent of income on the Lower North Shore comes from fishing. Between 85 and 90% comes from snow crab. I should say “came” since there is no more snow crab.
Everybody is aware of what happened to the crab fisheries in zone 13. Zone 16 is excluded. Lower North Shore fishermen have taken a double hit. There is no more cod and no more crab. Simply put, they have nothing left, no way of making a living.
How is it that Newfoundland crab fishermen are enjoying the status quo when their neighbours across the way, in zone 13, have nothing? Fishermen in Newfoundland are not short of money as for weeks now they have been hunting seals on the ice pack. People on the North Shore are well ahead as far as their yearly income is concerned thanks to the seal hunt, and they will make it. Newfoundland hunters were afforded this opportunity through access to harp seal allocations.
Those on the Lower North Shore are still waiting for the ice to melt so they can put their boats in the water. Once again, the minister has shown bad faith. Several months ago, the minister was asked to make a decision. How can the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans refuse to answer our request for quotas for the exclusive use of the Lower North Shore, given all the evidence? Of the 350,000 on the Lower North Shore, only 1,200 remained this morning. These people risked their lives to go out on the floes.
It is not that they do not want to work and earn a living. The Lower North Shore needs an exclusive seal hunting quota so these people can earn a living.
The minister must order this today. And, above all, we must avoid what happened with the cod, where we waited. These people must be given exclusive quotas because the general quotas have almost been reached. It is about being just and fair. A political decision must be made and, like the member for Manicouagan, I urge the Liberal government to make it.
When I say that these people have nothing, I mean nothing. There are 15 small fishing villages doomed to extinction if rapid and effective intervention is not immediately forthcoming. We are talking about 15 Murdochvilles asking for help to survive. While the Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands still have other sectors, like forestry, industry and tourism, to compensate somewhat for this situation and provide work, the Lower North Shore has only the fishery.
I am not saying that fishers in other affected regions should not get help, far from it. I am simply saying that the Lower North Shore is totally dependent on one industry, has no highway connecting it to the rest of Quebec and is dependent on itself. Almost its entire economy is based on fishing. I do not know if people can understand how dramatic this situation is.
Since last week, the region has been in a state of shock. The cod is gone. There was always crab, but with Friday's announcement, the region and the entire population is on life support. The region is being killed as a result. It is totally unthinkable and unacceptable for a government to ask so much from one region.
The government measures to protect the fishery resource are having a really devastating effect. It is destroying the region, draining the whole area and causing distress for whole families, some of whom are left with nothing. This crisis caused by the government's inaction is totally inhumane. Once again, it is a tough blow. If we want people to remain in the Lower North Shore region, other industries will have to be developed.
We agree that the measures that were announced to deal with this crisis are necessary. However, the $50 million assistance plan the government announced with great fanfare last week falls far short. We clearly do not need a band-aid solution here, but rather a complete recovery.
The assistance plan is clearly not enough. First, we need immediate action. Some fishing communities will pull through, although with some difficulty. But not in the Lower North Shore region. We need very specific measures. Six weeks of mini-projects will be pointless, except to start planning the exodus toward the urban centres where unemployment and employment subsidies are the only things awaiting these workers.
Concrete measures are needed. I was there on April 1 when a well-thought-out and realistic recovery plan was submitted to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans by a delegation of experts from the Lower North Shore region. Besides dealing with what is currently threatening the fisheries and promoting real economic development, this 14 point plan, which is totally feasible, would have medium- and long-term benefits.
This plan proposes, among other things, to tap into emerging species such as the sea urchin, the rock crab, the winkle, as well as those for which there is not a large market, such as herring and mackerel. This is a program of the Atlantic wolffish industry for which, I repeat, there must be an exclusive quota, which would allow a business, with a few weeks' notice, to immediately set up and start to operate. The plan also proposes a program to create a regional development fund and an aquaculture program: training, development and exploitation.
Also included are measures to diversify workers' qualifications to recycle them into these new areas, as well as early retirement programs, licence buyouts and so on. This plan is really interesting and, most of all, it is practical. It is also high time that the government engaged in a genuine cooperative process with the Quebec government to complete Highway 138 between Vieux-Fort and Saint-Augustin. Besides creating real jobs, such an initiative would revitalize the region.
It would give hope that something is finally happening. Funds must be released for this highway. This is a real solution to the fisheries crisis, because, most of all, we are here to try to help people. The minister talks about improving the viability of local economies; this is a real good way to do so.
The Lower North Shore recovery plan could certainly be used as a model because it is time the government looked to the future and stopped forcing workers in one of its most important industries to simply try to survive from one week to the next. Quebec and the Atlantic provinces are the economic engine of Canadian fisheries. Exports reached $3.4 billion in 2002, compared to $3.1 billion in 2001 and $3 billion in 2000. Exports from that region account for 74% of total Canadian exports.
The time for rescuing the industry is over, even though such a rescue is necessary. Canada is lagging behind in terms of developing the fisheries. Why has our aquacultural potential not been developed yet? The bays in the Lower North Shore region are more beautiful and better suited for aquaculture than the ones in Norway, and this is why we must diversify and develop that potential immediately. The minister must consider integrated management solutions and innovate rapidly.
The North Shore aquaculture research centre has been asked to conduct a feasibility study for a cod aquafarm. Why not go ahead with this project now? It would be a golden opportunity for the federal government to finally take action.
In conclusion, we are saying that it is the minister's responsibility to take measures, and we expect answers to our questions. We want viable solutions, not band-aid solutions. Fishers in my riding have done their job. Political parties here have spoken out and they have done their job. Now the government and the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans must do theirs.