Herb Dhaliwal

[Fisheries, April 5th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member has all his facts totally wrong. He should do his research and then he would get to the facts.

It is very interesting that we have heard in the House from opposition members about the social problems with our aboriginal communities on the reserves, but when it comes to solutions they do not want to be a part of the solution. They want someone else to be part of the solution.

Do they really care about aboriginal people? Are they really interested in helping them? From the questions I hear, I do not think so.

[Highway 407, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, first let me congratulate the hon. member for Davenport for his excellent work on the environment. It is is something on which he has worked very hard and to which he is committed.

With regard to the report on the environmental assessment of the highway 407 project, it has just undergone a public review and comment period which concluded on March 24. The report will now be completed and a decision will be made in the near future regarding the next steps in the environmental assessment process.

I can assure the hon. member that I am reviewing this file right now. I hope to visit the areas that are affected personally and have a decision very soon.

[Fisheries, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member should stand up and congratulate the government. We have committed $160 million to a voluntary retirement program. The hon. member should know that we are spending the money to buy existing licences on a voluntary program to provide access to the aboriginal community. We have brought the commercial fisherman and the aboriginal community together to find community solutions to build communities across the country. We are doing it in Atlantic Canada. This is good news for Canada and it is good news—

[Fisheries, April 4th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to report to the House that as of today we have six signed agreements with first nations bands. I hope in the coming days that I will be able to announce more agreements. We have learned that one of the ways to resolve this issue is by bringing the communities together to talk and to have dialogue.

Even though we hear the members opposite talk about helping the members of the first nation band, the way to do it is to sign agreements on fishing so first nations can truly earn an income and be able to take advantage of the economic opportunities available.

[Fisheries And Oceans, April 3rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, if the hon. member would talk to his colleague beside him, the member for Beauséjour—Petitcodiac, he would know that I announced $200,000 for wharf relief just last week.

We are working very hard to make sure that we look after wharves everywhere across Atlantic Canada and across Canada. But there are only limited budgets and we have to make sure that we spend the money of Canadians wisely, and that is what we will do.

[Fisheries And Oceans, April 3rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the hon. member for his question, which I gave him earlier today. He is absolutely right that exports have gone up to $3.7 billion.

That is the result of the good work that this government has done since it took power in 1993, unlike the Tories who closed the cod fishery and caused a huge disaster in Atlantic Canada.

With respect to the small craft harbours, the hon. member made representation to me on wharves in his riding. It is very important to make sure that our harbours are well maintained. We are working toward making sure that happens.

[Fisheries, March 29th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, the hon. member obviously did not hear my response. I said I was in the maritimes and visited New Brunswick. In fact I authorized $200,000 for his colleague's riding in Robichaud to fix two wharves.

The hon. member has made representation to me about his wharves. We will be looking at them and taking due consideration so harbour authorities can operate safely and provide opportunity for the fishing community.

[Fisheries, March 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, last Friday, Saturday and Sunday I had the opportunity to visit the maritimes. I had the opportunity to personally visit those wharfs that were damaged by the storm. In fact, if the hon. member had been following our actions he would know that I have already announced money to fix some of the wharves that were damaged by the storm.

[Fisheries, March 28th, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, it is important to understand the commercial fishery of Newfoundland.

When we came to power in 1993, the landed value of the commercial fishery was $208 million. At the end of 1999 the landed value of the commercial fishery in Newfoundland was $515 million. That is a 148% increase in the time that we have been in power. Liberal times are good times.

[Fisheries, March 23rd, 2000]

Mr. Speaker, we are regulating the fishery at this time. If there is any unauthorized fishing, we will take enforcement action as we have been taking it. It is the same with the food fishery. We will ensure that we enforce the food fishery and if there is a food fishery it will remain a food fishery. We will ensure that we have appropriate enforcement to ensure that there will be no unauthorized fishing. We will have enforcement to back that up.