Geoff Regan

[Fisheries, March 23rd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the members of the committee for their work on this report. I want to tell them I take this matter very seriously. Having been to B.C. seven times as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, I know how important people feel this issue is in that province, and it is an important one.

I take it very seriously, but for the member who is talking, who recognizes and who realizes, as the report says, that one of the issues is water temperature and climate change, I am surprised his party is against Kyoto.

[Fisheries, March 22nd, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, my hon. colleague ought to know that the Prime Minister of the government and I take this issue very seriously. We have fought hard on the issue of overfishing. In fact, our strategy is seeing results.

Both the Prime Minister and myself have raised it at the UN. Last year we had more than 240 inspections, an increase of some 50% over the previous year. We saw a drop of about 32% in the number of infractions last year. We are seeing results from our strategies.

It is a shame the member was muzzled and did not rise to vote in the House for the budget that contained money to fight overfishing.

[Emergency Preparedness, March 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, building on our successful Pacific coast experience, we are working with our international partners, especially the U.S., to develop an east coast tsunami warning system for North America. We are also working with our counterparts in Europe.

Preliminary work is already under way. We are working to get this in place as quickly as possible.

[Coast Guard, March 8th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I commend my colleague for his strong support of the Canadian Coast Guard.

Dartmouth of course is home to a major Coast Guard base. Our shipyard workers in Canada can provide top-notch work, and top quality competitive work. I have confidence that they can provide competitive bids and save taxpayers' dollars. I want these ships built in Canada and I am going to work with my cabinet colleagues to ensure that happens.

[Fisheries, February 11th, 2005]

Mr. Speaker, I agree with my hon. colleague about the importance of the fishery to his region. There has been some debate about how we should reallocate or re-establish the allocation formula for snow crab in that area. That is why I appointed an independent panel to provide me with advice on resolving these issues. I am looking forward to receiving that report in the near future.

[Question No. 29, January 31st, 2005]

Mr. Speaker the answer is as follows: (a) In the Bay of Fundy area, the government hired a consultant to work in the Maritimes Region to facilitate the provision of licenses, vessels, and gear to the first nation communities. (b) Mr. Bruce Churchill, of the firm East Coast Marine Brokers, was selected through the government tendering process on a contract basis. The following table indicates, by fiscal year beginning in 2000-2001 and ending in 2004-2005, the amounts paid to East Coast Marine Brokers for services provided to Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

AMOUNT PAID BY FISCAL YEAR

• To September 30, 2004

[Fisheries and Oceans, December 14th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, it is really beneath the hon. member to attack this particular gentleman who was a former chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, a distinguished British Columbian, and a distinguished Canadian.

It really is beneath that party. It is not surprising that it would want to besmirch the reputation of a judiciary in this country. Those members do not respect the Charter of Rights. They do not respect the courts. That is their nature.

[Maher Arar Inquiry, December 14th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, as is the case with many of the responsibilities of the Attorney General, under the Canada Evidence Act, this decision is not made by the Attorney General himself, or me in this case, but is delegated to an official. Section 38 of the Canada Evidence Act has been triggered and justice officials have consulted extensively within government to form a decision that will be conveyed to the commissioner as soon as possible.

[Points of Order, December 10th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, during question period I indicated that Mr. Bryan Williams was a former chief justice of the B.C. Court of Appeal.

He was in fact the former chief justice of the B.C. Supreme Court.

[Fisheries, December 10th, 2004]

Mr. Speaker, we are in fact treating the matter of the Fraser River salmon fishery this year very seriously. In fact, that is the reason we have appointed a former chief justice of the B.C. Court of Appeal to head a panel, the integrated harvest planning committee, to look into this matter.

He is a very well-respected former judge. I know the members opposite do not have much respect for the courts or for the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but they ought to have respect for Mr. Williams, who is an outstanding British Columbian.