Loyola Hearn

[Questions on the Order Paper, March 19th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, these funds are administered by the Pacific Salmon Commission, PSC. The PSC indicates that the total amount paid to Canadian organizations, individuals and officials is $11,030,409 USD for the period of January 1, 2004 up to January 1, 2007. Expenditures for the Northern Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration and Enhancement Fund, Northern Fund, were $4,785,044 USD and for the Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund, Southern Fund, expenditures were $6,245,365 USD.

[Fisheries Act, 2007, February 27th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the fisheries critic moved the amendment on Friday under the instructions of his House leader and leader, none of whom know anything about the fishery, which effectively would kill the bill if it is passed. If this amendment is passed, the bill will die. It cannot be introduced again into the House in this session, much to the delight of the member for Bonavista—Gander—Grand Falls—Windsor and the member for Sackville—Eastern Shore, “Kill Bill” and “Kill Bill II”.

[Fisheries Act, 2007, February 23rd, 2007]

Promise?

[Coast Guard, February 23rd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, let me assure the hon. member that, number one, that we are strongly supportive of the seal fishery. We will make sure that the people who participate in this fishery have every access. In relation to bonuses, let me say to him that of the 44 people qualifying, only six people got bonuses, because they deserved them.

[Fisheries Act, February 21st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I have never been more committed to dealing with this act, which would replace the one that is 139 years old. The provinces want it, the industry wants it, the fishermen want it and their unions want it.

I hope, with the help of my colleagues, we will refine the act to make it the kind of act that everybody wants. We can do it in second reading and in committee. I am willing to work with them. If they do not want to do that, they can answer to their constituents.

[Delegated Legislation, February 21st, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I rise on a point of order. I cannot let this stand on the record because the member is not being factual. The department of fisheries officials have been clear. They are out in the lobby, if he wants to talk to them. It is quite clear the new act will address this. It is clear in the act, if he would read it. It is clear for anybody who wants to pursue it.

[Fisheries and Oceans, February 20th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, the member has raised this issue with me before. We have met with the fishermen on it. It is a very serious problem for them, not only in that area but for fishermen throughout the Atlantic provinces generally and also Quebec. The price of shrimp last year dropped. They are having difficult times and we are looking at every avenue within our jurisdiction where we can help make life a little more pleasant for them.

[Fisheries and Oceans, February 9th, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, I am working with my willing colleagues on both sides of the House and with my provincial counterparts, industry, first nations and NGOs to ensure we do a good job on modernizing the act, protecting the fishery and fish resources, which are public, not private resources.

Most people are willing to work with us because they know the act should be modernized, except the NDP members who as usual are off track. I heard them brag earlier about winning a single seat in Ontario yesterday, while they were wiped out in three elections in Newfoundland, where the Progressive Conservatives had three landslide victories.

[Fisheries and Oceans, February 2nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, it would be extremely difficult to dance to music like that. The member is completely and utterly out of tune, as he usually is.

Let me say to the hon. member that the fish is a public resource. It is owned by the people of Canada and managed by us. It will not be turned over to the private sector.

The revised act would ensure that individuals who are licensed to fish that resource will fish it for the benefit of the people of Canada.

[Fisheries and Oceans, February 2nd, 2007]

Mr. Speaker, those were very interesting comments from the member. Last year, when the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans had the choice of whether to deal with the Fisheries Act or take up the main problem that it should be dealing with, the northern cod in Newfoundland and Labrador, that member voted to deal with the Fisheries Act because it was so important to bring in a revised Fisheries Act.

We brought in a revised act, one that his provincial government supports, one that the Atlantic provinces support and one that fishing groups support. Everybody supports it except him.