Gail Shea

[Fisheries and Oceans, November 4th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, despite opposition members' claims, our changes to the Fisheries Act actually strengthen protection for fish. We are focusing more of our time and resources on projects that could have an impact on commercial, recreational or aboriginal fisheries, which are so important to so many of our rural communities. Our changes also make penalties tougher, by punishing those people who actually break the law by causing serious harm to fisheries.

[The Environment, October 25th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, researchers from DFO have been working with partners to study the beluga whales in the St. Lawrence. A scientific peer review meeting was held to review the knowledge on the state of the population, and that peer-reviewed science advice will be published in the coming months.

We will continue to conduct research on marine mammals in co-operation with all of our partners.

[International Trade, October 21st, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, on day one of this agreement 96% of tariffs on fish and seafood products will be eliminated. This is certainly great news for fishers right across the country.

The European Union is the world's biggest importer of fish and seafood products. This means 500 million new customers and 28 new markets for our world-class fish and seafood.

I cannot understand why the NDP would oppose the Canada-Europe trade agreement. The MP for St. John's South—Mount Pearl said last week, “It will not fix our broken fishery—it will give it away...”.

Perhaps he should start speaking to the industry in his province.

[Government Appointments, June 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, ACOA is actually busy doing a lot of good work in that member's riding.

What the member is alleging is completely false, and he knows it. The Public Service Commission was very clear in its report. The member obviously has not read that report, which he should do before making all these ridiculous allegations.

We did not write the report, so we could not change something that we did not write.

[Government Appointments, June 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, we cannot speak to the details of any ongoing investigation, but as soon as I became aware of these allegations, I did direct ACOA officials to refer the matter to the Ethics Commissioner.

We do expect ECBC to conduct business with integrity, with accountability and with respect for Canadian taxpayers.

[Government Appointments, June 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I can assure the hon. member there was no whitewashing of any report.

The Public Service Commission found no evidence of any political interference, which not surprisingly is in stark contrast to a 2006 report on the Liberal phantom job scheme. Maybe the Liberals could talk about that.

[Government Appointments, June 18th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak to the details of any ongoing investigation, but I can assure the hon. member that although ECBC is an arm's-length crown corporation, I expect officials to co-operate with any investigation that is ongoing.

[Government Appointments, June 17th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, I cannot speak to any details of any ongoing investigation, but as soon as we became aware of any allegations, I directed ACOA officials to refer the matter to the Ethics Commissioner.

We expect that ECBC will conduct their business with integrity, accountability and respect for Canadian taxpayers. I can say that the proper process is in progress to deal with these issues, and they will be addressed in due course.

[Canada Revenue Agency, June 11th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, the suggestion that we are resisting efforts to combat tax evasion is completely false. We support Prime Minister Cameron's efforts to achieve a G8 consensus on tax havens and on tax evasion.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance was at the OECD just last week, working on this very issue. Our government has a strong record of getting tough on tax cheats, including obtaining information on Canadians with offshore assets from our international partners. Since 2006, we have introduced over 75 measures to improve the integrity of our tax system—

[Canada Revenue Agency, June 10th, 2013]

Mr. Speaker, our government has been working with partners abroad to crack down on tax cheats. Today, we are seeing the benefit of Canada's close collaboration with our international partners.

I am pleased to announce that Canada is now in the possession of extensive data on Canadians with offshore assets. CRA experts are reviewing the information on a priority basis and will undertake compliance actions where warranted.

This is, once again, a great day for hard-working taxpayers and a bad day for tax evaders.