Mr. Speaker, I rise to present the official opposition's dissenting opinion for the seventh report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Ocean report, entitled “Review of the Fisheries Act: policy and legislative considerations and recommendations”.
Conservatives of the official opposition were motivated to submit this dissenting report to ensure that Canadians are provided the whole story of the evidence we received and the whole story of the harms caused by the 2019 changes.
When the Liberals introduced these changes, they said the changes were necessary to restore lost protections, yet when they were asked what harms had been caused by the supposed lost protections, the Liberal government provided no proof. The Liberals charged ahead with changes that have not only hurt harvesters and supply chains that depend on fisheries, but they have also undermined Canada's national interest in our sovereignty and our independence.
At a time when Canadians are concerned for independence and progressive growth, the reality is that major projects and even the government's own strategies for energy emissions reductions and natural resources are directly hampered and put in limbo by Liberal legislation like the 2019 changes to the Fisheries Act.
Conservatives appreciate all participants in the study, especially those who spoke honestly, despite facing possible retributions. I thank all Canadians who participated in this study, because they care. Conservatives also care, and we urge everyone to read this dissenting report. We have made recommendations to strengthen the Fisheries Act and allow for a stronger and more independent Canada.