Mr. Chair, I was just extremely offended by the fact that the member would suggest that because I live on a lake that has a couple of islands on it, somehow I would not be qualified to speak on this. That is where my concern was coming from, but I am glad we cleared that up.
I would like to take this opportunity to highlight some of the work that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has undertaken to advance one of the key commitments outlined in the minister's mandate letter. I would like to speak specifically to the actions taken to support biology-sustainable, stable, prosperous fisheries so that fish and fish habitats are protected for future generations and Canada's fisheries can continue to grow the economy and sustain coastal communities.
We all know that the long-term success and profitability of commercial fishing sectors rely on the health of fish stocks and the aquatic ecosystems in which they live. Beyond the intrinsic value of healthy fish populations and ecosystems, we also understand how important the fisheries industry is to Canada's economy and the prosperity of coastal communities. For communities across the country, fish are an important source of food and fishing activities are a key part of the cultural fabric, especially for indigenous communities, many of which are located adjacent to fishing sites. Harvesting activities are of great social, cultural, spiritual and economic importance. Indigenous peoples seek an increase in economic—