Mr. Speaker, the independent Atlantic inshore fishery is at risk again.
Controlling agreements are arrangements that compromise the owner-operator and fleet separation policies set to expire in March 2014. We now understand that two Conservative members from Nova Scotia have appealed to the minister and requested that these agreements be grandfathered. This flies in the face of what Atlantic fishermen and their communities are asking for.
Will the minister stand by the earlier commitment made by the minister and protect the owner-operator and fleet separation policy?