Gail Shea

[Canada-Korea Economic Growth and Prosperity Act, October 28th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, I am happy to hear the NDP will be supporting this trade agreement, because it is very important for the seafood sector. Of course, her home province of Quebec is a significant seafood producer.

On a recent trip to South Korea, I learned that price point factors very significantly with consumers in Korea when purchasing goods. Obviously, as a seafood producer without a trade agreement with Korea, we find our competitors enjoy much more sales in that marketplace than Canada does. Of course, one of those countries is the United States. What I did hear as well, loud and clear, is that Canadian seafood has a reputation for having the highest quality available anywhere in the world.

Expanding our market is crucial to providing a better return to Canadian fishers. Some would have heard me say in the House earlier this year that Canadian lobster landings have increased by 93% in the last six or seven years. The supply is growing faster than demand, which is contributing to depressed prices. Therefore, we know how important it is to expand these markets, because every new consumer we reach creates more demand for our delicious fish and seafood.

I would like to ask the hon. member several questions. What is the size of the potential new market for Canadian fish and seafood? What are the current tariffs in the fish and seafood sector? Could she comment on what this deal means for Quebec fishermen?

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 21st, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, when we formed government, the lobster fishery was facing a number of challenges. We took action. We worked with the industry, and we invested $50 million in the Atlantic lobster sustainability program. The results are undeniable. Since 2007, total lobster landings have increased by 93%. Our lobster exports were at a high of $1.1 billion last year.

Our government, led by my seatmate, has worked to secure trade agreements that will expand markets for Canadian lobster and will create more demand for our delicious Canadian lobster.

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, 70% of DFO's French documents at the library have already been digitized, and the work will be done by the end of the year. That will make French scientific documentation more accessible than it has been in the past to people right across the country.

As I said, with five to twelve in-person visits in the run of a year, it is hardly an efficient way to deliver service to Canadians.

[Fisheries and Oceans, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, we are updating government with 21st century technology in order to be more responsible to Canadian taxpayers. Library users are asking for digital information, which is clear when our libraries average only between five and twelve in-person visitors a year. This is not an efficient way to deliver service to Canadians.

We have carefully reviewed the commissioner's report and we are confident that we are fulfilling our official language responsibilities. We do believe that the new library service model enhances the availability of French services across the country.

[The Environment, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said time and time again, the current work that was allowed is only exploratory work. There has not been an application for a project yet, and when there is an application for a project, that will go through the proper review process.

[The Environment, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, DFO allowed this exploratory work to go ahead because it was clear it would not result in harm to marine life.

DFO has a process, and we have scientists who are specifically devoted to marine mammals. One of our top priorities is the protection of our marine species. It is clear in our legislation and it is clear in our process. To date, there has not been an application for a project that has even come forward.

[Coast Guard, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this was a private towing vessel that came to tow the vessel that was in trouble. I want to support and salute our men and women in the Canadian Coast Guard and our men and women in the Department of National Defence because they did all the work to keep this vessel safe until some help arrived.

Our government has provided unprecedented support of $6.8 billion to renew the Coast Guard fleet. This investment demonstrates our support for the safety and security of marine industries and for—

[Coast Guard, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, yes, this was a very serious situation. This Russian ship lost power outside Canadian waters.

On the west coast, the private sector provides towing services to the marine industry, but we are very grateful to the men and women of the Canadian Coast Guard and the Department of National Defence. They were able to keep the situation under control in what were very difficult conditions.

This member should not be asking about the Canadian Coast Guard because he well remembers what happened during his tenure. For over a decade, they let the Coast Guard vessels sit tied up—

[The Environment, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, this Russian ship lost power outside of Canadian waters. The Canadian Coast Guard responded and kept the situation under control, under very difficult conditions, until the tug arrived from Prince Rupert.

We as a government have committed $6.8 billion through the renewal of the Coast Guard fleet, which demonstrates our support for the safety and security of our marine industries and for our environment.

[The Environment, October 20th, 2014]

Mr. Speaker, luck had nothing to do with the situation.

The Russian ship lost power outside Canadian waters in very rough weather. The private sector provides towing service to the marine industry.

We are grateful that the Canadian Coast Guard was able to keep the situation under control in very difficult conditions until the tug arrived from Prince Rupert.