Robert Thibault

[Fisheries, December 10th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the member for his continued work on this very important file for the people of his community and of Prince Edward Island. I would also like to congratulate my parliamentary secretary, the best parliamentary secretary in the western world, the member for Bonaventure—Gaspé—Îles-de-la-Madeleine—Pabok, who worked very hard with him.

I encourage both members to continue to work together to resolve this problem for next year. I have asked them to meet, and barring a resolution, I will be making a determination prior to the next fishing season.

[Coast Guard, December 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Coast Guard works in close cooperation with every other federal agency and with our international partners. It provides a great service and keeps our coasts safe. It keeps transportation going.

[Coast Guard, December 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the member is often quite selective in his facts. The other day he was talking to us about the “Russian spy ship” that was off our coast that we had no knowledge of. I checked into the matter as it was tracked all the way along our coast by the Coast Guard, by the Department of National Defence and we were in communication with them.

We have a very good marine communications system and traffic control system. We will improve it and make it better. We give Canadians a great service.

[Coast Guard, December 2nd, 2002]

Of course, Mr. Speaker, that is my responsibility. It is my job. It is also my job to look internally first to make sure that we are using all of the available technology and that we are properly using all of the available resources, so that we efficiently use the resources of Canadians. That is why we work in cooperation with other agencies. That is why we conduct DFO flights off the coasts to look for foreign overfishing and work in cooperation with other agencies.

[Coast Guard, December 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, let me repeat that the Canadian Coast Guard works in cooperation with the Department of National Defence, with the RCMP and with all other government agencies to ensure that service is provided to Canadians.

If the member wants to know what that vessel was up to, perhaps he should ask the owners of the vessel. If the Canadian Coast Guard or the military had information, it surely would not be made public here today.

[Coast Guard, December 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, if the commissioner did agree with the Canadian Alliance, we would indeed be in trouble.

The Canadian Coast Guard works in cooperation with all other departments under the direction of the Department of Transport which has the responsibility for marine security. We work with the Department of National Defence to ensure that we keep our coasts secure. It is not the sole responsibility of the Canadian Coast Guard. The Coast Guard supports, and it does a very good job.

[Fisheries, November 27th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for his question. In 1992, Canada went through much similar circumstances. We have had to invest over $3.5 billion in economic development packages and bought back 3,600 licences. We still have challenges.

I commend Commissioner Fischler for his courage in acting in such a way in Europe. He has been a good partner for us at NAFO. With his understanding of the situation we are going through, I trust he will be an even better partner at the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization.

[Fisheries, November 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can advise that I am quite concerned about the variations in stock size of the pink salmon. I met with the Premier of British Columbia this morning. We talked about joint cooperation in ensuring we had an efficient, economically and environmentally sustainable fishery.

I have yet to see the report from Mr. Fraser. I will have the report soon and I will have it reviewed by departmental staff. We will see the recommendations he has made and take appropriate action.

[Fisheries, November 25th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans works in close cooperation with the industry through our science branch and through the Fisheries Resource Conservation Council to estimate the cod stocks, follow their progress and take such measures as to make sure we protect them.

We will do that in this case, the two Gulf stocks and the northern cod, and we will report to the House later.

[Cod Fishery, November 21st, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I want the hon. member to know that we have had preliminary discussions with the Government of Quebec.

On December 2, I am scheduled to meet my counterparts from the Atlantic provinces, Quebec and Nunavut, to discuss a number of issues. Probably the most important one on the agenda will be the cod fishery. We will plan ahead for a possible reduction or moratorium and a partnership with all stakeholders to support the communities affected.