Robert Thibault

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, as I said earlier, I spoke with the coordinator of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre who advised me that he was well aware of our Coast Guard policy as well as the Canada Shipping Act and its stipulations, and that he knew he could authorize the penetration dive if there was a reasonable chance of saving lives.

It has also been indicated that on that day there was no reasonable information to say that vessel should have been penetrated.

Further, the memo the member refers to dates back to September 3, 2001.

[Coast Guard, October 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I met with the joint rescue coordinator who was on duty that day and he well understood the regulations of both the Canada Labour Code and the Canada Shipping Act. He was not of the belief that anything different could have been done that day. He advised me that he believed the coast guard divers did an excellent job.

The Transportation Safety Board is reviewing the incident of that day. The B.C. Workmen's Compensation Board is reviewing it. A search and rescue operations report is being prepared and a B.C. coroner may request an inquiry.

I believe that those will suffice, and we will wait to see what those reports say prior to taking further action.

[Coast Guard, October 9th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, once again I want to express my condolences to the families of those involved in that tragic accident. I also want to express the government's pleasure in the activities of the men and women of the coast guard and the excellent work they have done.

The government and the commissioner of the Coast Guard have understood that there were shortcomings in managerial communications and those have been remediated.

[Coast Guard, October 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the government offers its condolences to the families and friends of all the people whose lives were lost, but it regrets the actions by the members opposite and others who would have it seem to be the responsibility of the Coast Guard and due to actions of the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard, the divers, search and rescue, the fire departments and all responders did a beautiful job. They save 1,500 people annually in B.C. and will continue to do so. To indicate any less is irresponsible.

[Coast Guard, October 2nd, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian Coast Guard's diving policy is consistent with the Canada Labour Code. As such, divers do not enter restricted areas, but under the Canada Shipping Act there is a provision for joint coordinators of search and rescue to permit any actions necessary to save human life under reasonable circumstances.

[Fisheries, June 20th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, some members of our caucus might have expressed their concerns and their opinions, but I would like to assure the member that when the plan for northern shrimp is announced it will be announced by the minister. It is currently under consideration.

[Fisheries, June 14th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, first, let me thank the members of the fisheries committee for the outstanding job that they continually do. I have nothing but the greatest of respect for chairman of the committee, the member for Malpeque, and even the member for Sackville—Musquodoboit Valley—Eastern Shore.

I have not responded to the committee's report yet. I will in due course and in full fashion. However I did state to the press my position and the government's position on the unilateral imposition of custodial management, the same position that I have outlined in the House many times and when it was even of interest to the member of the Conservative Party during the byelections in Newfoundland.

[Fisheries and Oceans, June 12th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, the object of our light stations is of course to ensure the safety of boaters, be they commercial or recreational boaters. We continue to take our role seriously. I would be happy to review the situation of that lighthouse.

[Fisheries and Oceans, June 7th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for Hillsborough his fine question. Over the past four years the Government of Canada has worked hard to promote sustainable oceans development through the Oceans Act. We have launched 21 integrated management pilot initiatives across the country and contributed to dozens of stewardship activities and international events.

I am quite proud of the work done by DFO employees, together with Canadians from all regions, to manage our oceans resource.

I ask the House and all my colleagues to join me in celebrating oceans day.

[Fisheries, June 6th, 2002]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the member that our negotiators will be putting forward a position for as low a harvest as possible.

We recognize in trying to achieve a multi-year deal that there might be a requirement for a food fishery or a minimum fishery by some partners over there. However our preference would be that there be no fishery whatsoever. We cannot give away all the details prior to those negotiations because we do not want to prejudice the outcome.