House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2006, with 45% of the vote.
Atlantic Accord May 8th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, what surprises me is the gall the hon. member has to stand up and ask a question like that. When we were fighting to get the benefits for our province from the Atlantic accord and when our Prime Minister forced the government to deliver, that member and others sat there and would not lift a finger to help Newfoundland and Labrador.
Fisheries and Oceans May 4th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the credit for this great initiative should really go to the member for South Shore--St. Margaret's. He was the first to introduce two private member's bills on this issue. He was with the Prime Minister and myself in Indian Harbour in Nova Scotia when we made the commitment before the election.
It is interesting to hear the member for Cardigan and the member for Halifax West trying to take credit. It must be a great program. They are not criticizing it. They are trying to take ownership.
Fisheries and Oceans April 26th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, again, the member knows it has absolutely nothing to do with geography. We have a 20% tariff on shrimp going into the European market on which we are working. He also realizes that the ministers from Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador all have talked to us about this. They agreed that fish quotas should go to the fishermen. Without the extra shrimp this year, they would not survive in the industry, and that is what is most important to us.
Fisheries and Oceans April 26th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the hon. member knows a lot better than that. The shrimp allocations this year were given directly to the fishermen to ensure we could save an industry that is in severe trouble.
Nobody knows better than the member the state of the shrimp industry in Quebec. That industry is in the same state in New Brunswick and in Newfoundland and Labrador. Consequently, our quotas this year went where they should go, to the people who participate in the industry.
Fisheries April 25th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, some years ago, the stocks in New Brunswick were practically eradicated because of disease. The former government promised to help. It did not deliver on its promise.
Even though the industry right now has self-rationalized, it still needs to be put on a steadier footing. We will be providing immediately $10 million to the industry so it can continue to progress in the great province of New Brunswick.
Fisheries April 11th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, what the member has to remember first of all is how Prince Edward Island got its share of northern shrimp in the first place, and he can certainly answer that question.
In relation to this year's fishery, the shrimp fishery is in serious trouble. Every ounce of shrimp this year went to the people who fish it, the fishermen, whether it be the inshore boats or the bigger boats. All shrimp went to the fishermen, where it should go, because that is the only way we can keep the industry alive.
Fisheries April 7th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, let me say, as those on the former standing committee will admit, that nobody worked harder to get such an endowment fund than the member who has just asked the question.
The fund has to be delivered through an independent body, which has now been set up, after two years, by the way. My officials will be meeting with them very soon to get this moving forward.
Fisheries April 7th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, let me assure the member that I am herring him well and I am not trying to cod anybody. We are committed to ensuring we deal with the overfishing on the nose and tail. Anything I said before on that side of the House I believe not only as firmly but even more firmly today because, unlike the members opposite when they were in government, we not only will talk about such issues, we will deal with the issues.
Fisheries April 7th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, let me congratulate my critic and thank him for his question. Let me also say to him that despite any disagreement we might have in question and answer period, a Newfoundlander will always be right.
The member well knows, being part of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, that the issue of control off the continental shelf and of the overfishing that goes on is an issue we have fought since we came to this place. I assure the member that the issue is being dealt with in the throne speech and the priorities listed are very important ones for our province.
Committees of the House November 25th, 2005
Mr. Speaker, I have the honour to present, in both official languages, the fourth report of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. The title says it all: “Northern Cod: A Failure of Canadian Fisheries Management”.
I wish to thank the staff and researchers, who did a tremendous job, along with the members of the committee. It is a unanimous report from the all party committee.
Pursuant to Standing Order 109, the committee requests that the government table a comprehensive response to this report within the 120 day limit.