Brian Tobin

[The Environment, November 15th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the member for his question. The member for Davenport is deservedly well known as one of the strongest environmental voices in the country today.

I am pleased to say to the member that the government will move forward on the recommendation of the NABST report on an oceans act. It is our intention to release as early as tomorrow a public discussion document entitled "A Vision for Ocean Management" so we can hear from coastal people and all of those concerned about the health of our oceans.

As quickly as we can make it happen and as efficiently as is appropriate we will move forward with legislation setting out a new oceans act for Canada.

[Points Of Order, November 4th, 1994]

Withdraw. You heard it now, Mr. Speaker.

[Points Of Order, November 4th, 1994]

"Racism" is the word he used, referring to my comments. I am sorry. That is what the member said. I would ask him to withdraw that. I would ask that the members of the Reform Party adopt a standard at least equal to that which they preach or seek from other members in this House.

[Points Of Order, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I understand, because once or twice in the 15 years I have been here I have been guilty of using words that one would not want to use. However, the member for Delta used the word "racist". I heard it, which is what caused my-

[Points Of Order, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, during Question Period I did use words which are unparliamentary, words which I want to withdraw. One of the words was "racist" and the other word was "bigoted".

However, the member who has just risen will know that his colleague who sits just beyond his arm's reach, in asking the question, which prompted that response which I have withdrawn unequivocally, used the words "racist comments" in referring to me. The member thinks those kind of words are unacceptable. I have withdrawn them. I ask the member opposite to do the same.

[Salmon Fishery, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, what I said to every one of the groups I met in British Columbia-and I met with aboriginal leaders, the leadership from the commercial sector and people from the sport and recreational sector-is that all groups without exception, if the truth is to be heard in this place, must accept obligation for conservation, enforcement and compliance whether they came to this nation first or came to this nation last.

If the member is not trying to cull selectively from meetings, I said that whenever there is a problem in whichever group there is a problem, be it commercial, sport, recreational or aboriginal, we will stand, call the problem a problem and bring about the necessary enforcement measures.

[Salmon Fishery, November 4th, 1994]

Excuse me, you have asked a question. Now take the answer.

[Salmon Fishery, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, let me say something. What I have said in the province of British Columbia, what I have said to everybody I have-

[Salmon Fishery, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, if anybody has been playing games that seek to generalize about an entire group of people, an irresponsible attitude about an entire group of people in the fishing industry, it is the Reform Party that does it with respect to Canada's First Nations, that does it with respect to Canada's immigrants, that does it with respect to Canada's poor, that does it with respect to anybody who does not have a right wing, narrow minded, bigoted attitude about people in the country.

[Salmon Fishery, November 4th, 1994]

Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I know of his genuine concern about the state of the salmon stock. Many stakeholders in British Columbia are concerned about the state of the salmon stock.

I do not know what document the member is referring to. It is evident that many enforcement officers who work for DFO in the Pacific region have expressed concerns through the system about the state of enforcement. Indeed, as I said several weeks ago, many of those concerns and detail have not reached me.

It is for that reason two nights ago, for two and a half hours, that I as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans sat down with 40 enforcement officers from all over the Pacific region to hear from them firsthand their concerns about the state of the stock and their suggestions for improving the situation.

I have given them a commitment that I will come back to them through the department with a solid plan within our fiscal means to ensure proper enforcement everywhere the salmon run to do the job that is necessary.