Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to have the opportunity to participate in this evening's debate on Bill C-403, sponsored by the member for Simcoe—Grey and seconded by the member for York North.
I think the debate which he has brought forward is indeed very constructive and I would like to state that I support the intent of his bill, although if this were a votable motion we would likely not support it and I would like to expand on our reasons for doing so.
The motion brought forward is indeed very constructive. The hon. member points out that this issue falls under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, legislation which we initiated back in 1988, which is enduring a very long review in committee. We have been doing a clause by clause examination of it since late October. The reason we would not support this bill is because there are other venues available to address the issue which he has brought forth.
As the hon. member has pointed out, and I believe my colleagues have mentioned, an estimated 500 tonnes of lead fishing sinkers and jigs or tackle are lost in the waters of Canadian rivers, lakes and ponds each year. That 500 tonnes ends up in the food chain of numerous species, namely waterfowl and fish, and can ultimately be absorbed by human beings. Therefore, this issue is indeed hazardous to human health.
Scientists have estimated that between 17% and 56% of the deaths of all waterfowl, particularly loons, are related to lead tackle, jigs and sinkers which are deposited within our lakes and rivers.
I would also like to point out that a single lead sinker or jig can poison a loon. It will ultimately get into its digestive system and in short order the bird is incapable of flying and experiences a loss of balance. Ultimately a species could be extirpated from a given area, endangered or become a species at risk because of sports fishermen.
I would like to point out that sports fishermen are likely the most environmentally conscious citizens who exist in this country. I know that in my riding of Fundy—Royal, the Sussex Fish and Game Association and the Hammond River Angling Association has done enormous things in terms of restoring fish habitat along the Kennebecasis River and along the Hammond River. This has been done on a volunteer basis and, indeed, they should be applauded for it.
We are now seeing trout species returning to our area. We are now seeing Atlantic salmon returning to these rivers. The sports fishermen want to do the right thing from an environmental perspective.
On March 1 I wrote to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans outlining my understanding that under section 43(e) of the Fisheries Act his department has the power to make regulations respecting the use of fishing gear and equipment.
Since the government already has the power to resolve this preventable situation, I urged the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to consider banning this harmful tool in Canada.
This debate is indeed very constructive. The member for Simcoe—Grey is really doing a positive thing here in terms of advancing this issue.
The Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is sadly sidelined at the moment due to an accident. I know he will be returning to the House in a number of weeks. Perhaps he is looking over some things to read. I would suggest that the hon. member send the fisheries minister a fax or a note saying that when he does return to the House of Commons, and we welcome his return, this is something he could do under section 43(e) of the Fisheries Act, as opposed to doing it under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. It is a regulation that actually could be made.
This is not unprecedented. In 1987 the United Kingdom banned lead tackle due to the fact that they had lost a number of mute swans. This was the corrective action which they took.
The federal government has banned lead fishing tackle on federal lands, which is a positive thing. However, fish do not necessarily know whether they are in federal or provincial waters.
This reminds me of what the environment department is discussing with respect to the Canada Endangered Species Protection Act. It is willing to protect an animal if it is on federal lands, but if the animal steps off federal lands it will not necessarily protect core habitat. If it is the right thing to do within our international parks, it is the right thing to do throughout the country.
This is an environmental initiative on which I believe we should move forward. It is long overdue. We should take our time. We should ensure that we phase in this legislation from a regulatory perspective because there are a number of fishermen who own lead sinkers and there are retailers who have already made an investment in them. We have to ensure that we do this in a very prudent way.
As my colleague from the Reform Party has pointed out, who I consider to be a friend of mine, more often than not regulations made in Ottawa actually infringe upon provincial rights. The more often we can get the delivery of a government service closer to the people, the better. Therefore, I concur with doing things on a provincial basis rather than a federal basis.
In this case, in terms of the protection of the environment, I believe that the federal government has a role to play and that banning it under section 43(e) of the Fisheries Act would be a step in the right direction.
I am encouraging the government to make an amendment to the regulations to make it an environmental initiative. It should do that because it is now in the sixth year of its mandate and it has yet to pass one piece of environmental legislation, except for the MMT bill, which cost Canadian taxpayers $16.5 million because it did not ban that substance under the CEPA.
This is environmental legislation which it could implement, which would have a positive effect on fish, waterfowl and ultimately human health.
I compliment the member for Simcoe—Grey for bringing this debate forward. I encourage him to write that letter to the fisheries minister to ensure that it will be done under section 43.
