Robert Thibault

[Fisheries, September 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, over the past few days Canadian inspectors working with national defence boarded two Portuguese vessels fishing outside the 200 mile limit. Both vessels were issued citations for misreporting an illegal bycatch.

The first vessel, the Santa Mafalda , has been ordered back to Portugal for an inspection that will include two Canadian inspectors. The second vessel, the Joanna Princesa , has been ordered to Halifax for inspection.

Both of these responses represent positive steps taken by the Portuguese government. They also demonstrate Canada's commitment to work with its NAFO partners to combat illegal fishing in international waters.

[The Environment, September 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, according to information I have received so far, there is no impact on fish stocks. There is no discharge. Everything is being done according to standards. When I am provided with information to the contrary, I will act accordingly.

[The Environment, September 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, under the Fisheries Act, the minister can intervene if there is any discharge or indication of discharge. In this case, there is none. Therefore an environmental assessment is not required.

[The Environment, September 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the laws of Canada apply to all Canadians.

In the first proposal for Belledune, there was a plan to discharge water into the ocean. That required a study and an environmental assessment to see whether or not the discharges met the standards.

In the proposal as it now stands, it is a closed system. Thus there is no discharge and no study is needed.

[The Environment, September 22nd, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, to my knowledge, the incinerator will have to operate according to emission standards. The standards set out in the act and regulations must be met.

If there are problems, we will intervene with Environment Canada and New Brunswick's environment department.

[Fisheries and Oceans, September 18th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, the member is absolutely right. Fishermen have to be licensed members and that should be the only criteria. I thank the member for bringing that to my attention and I will be taking the appropriate action.

[Question No. 237, September 15th, 2003]

The number of departmental employees is as follows:

Figures include all indeterminate employees and determinate employees whose term of employment is greater than three months.

[Fisheries, June 12th, 2003]

Mr. Speaker, most of the Canadian population, certainly all of the members on this side of the House, want us to give aboriginals, the first people of this country, a fair economic chance and opportunity and we will do that.

[Question No. 228, June 11th, 2003]

The master of a Portuguese vessel was issued a citation by Canadian Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization, NAFO, inspectors for exceeding the bycatch limit of 5% for cod while fishing outside Canada's 200 mile limit in December 2002. Of the 106.9 tonnes of fish aboard this vessel, there were 5.76 tonnes of cod in the inspection sample. This amounts to 10% of the inspected catch and is considered a significant amount.

[Fisheries Act, June 11th, 2003]

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-43, an act to amend the Fisheries Act.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)