Madam Chair, I have a mixed opinion about it because the fishermen do not agree with the tests being taken by the scientists and the scientists do not agree with the fishermen. That is why I said that we should put the two together and send them fishing. We should send somebody agreed to by the industry and not appointed by the government. That is what will be requested.
My colleague from Saint John asked if the member was saying that we should not listen to the scientists. I have to say that is not what happened last year. It was his government that did not agree with the scientists.
Maybe the minister will say that people have asked the government to do the fishery because they believe there are okay. That is the government's defence. However, at the end of the day, if we look at the act, the minister is responsible. That is why I say I have a mixed view about the whole thing.
Fishers in New Brunswick tell me that they think there was a mistake and that the 63% was too high. They finish on Friday, and they made their quota in less than three weeks. If things are so bad, how did they manage to make their quota so fast? They did not scrape the bottom, but they made their quota quickly.
Instead of squabbling amongst ourselves, once everything is done, why not really take the time to provide programs for people, communities, plants and everyone, then conduct a thorough study that will satisfy everyone? If those are the facts, then we will have to live with them. We will accept the facts and adapt. That is all I ask, and I think it is reasonable.