Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the danger our Great Lakes face from the threat of invasive Asian carp migrating north up the Mississippi River.
Our Great Lakes are a national treasure and a significant boom to our economy through the multi-million dollar tourism as well as sport and commercial fishing industries.
Therefore, our government has taken proactive steps to halt the northern migration of carp before they arrive at our doorstep.
Our government has been working closely with the Americans to ensure that carp do not gain access to Canadian waters through the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans contributed extensively to activities in Illinois by providing staff and equipment to successful fish eradication and removal this past week. Therefore, we are cautiously optimistic that we have been able to halt this impending ecological disaster.
This is yet another example of our government acting in unison with our American neighbours for the good of the Canadian environment while protecting vital Canadian industries.