Mr. Chair, I am splitting my time with the members for Brossard—La Prairie and Cape Breton—Canso.
I first of all want to welcome the minister, my colleague from the province of Prince Edward Island. I think she is well aware of the disastrous situation in the fishing industry and the great problems, as she represents a fishing area.
I have some questions I would like to ask. The minister received a proposal from the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association and the minister responsible for HRSDC, and I believe the Prime Minister received the proposal, on employment insurance.
As the minister is well aware, It's by the catch that fishermen are paid EI. Now some fishermen may be catching 30,000 pounds, but I represent a lot of fishermen who probably caught 15 or 20 lobster.
What has the minister done with the proposal? What success has she had with the minister?
Please do not stand and tell me it is the responsibility of the minister of HRSDC. We have many fishermen, particularly in area 26A, who are going to have a very tough winter if something is not done. The process is there to put the EI funds in the hands of the fishermen. The fishermen I represent need money, they need development and marketing dollars, but they need dollars to pay their bills this winter.
Can the minister tell us where this proposal is?