Keith Ashfield

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 14th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, it is more like empty questions. The member opposite obviously has a crystal ball that I do not have.

What we are looking at is policies. I can tell the member that we have not made any policy changes. We are currently looking at the policies that are in place and how we can improve them to make it better for fish habitat and the fisheries.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 14th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, current fisheries policies go well beyond what is required to protect fish and fish habitat. I can give some examples of that.

Last year in Saskatchewan, a long-running country jamboree was nearly cancelled after newly flooded fields were deemed fish habitat by fisheries officials. In Richelieu, the application of rules blocked a farmer from draining his flooded field.

We are looking at the policies, but there has been no decision made.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the assumptions in the question are ridiculous. We are seeking the advice and views of fishermen. That is what we should be doing as a responsible government and it is what I will do as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. Our government is not advancing any particular position other than to reaffirm our commitment to the economic health of fishermen and our communities.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 13th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, there has been no decision made with regard to this issue. I will note that Canada is blessed with an abundant array of natural resources of which we should be proud and which we take seriously and responsibly to conserve and protect.

[Search and Rescue, March 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, that was an incredible statement, totally inaccurate, and not the truth at all. We will not compromise safety in any way, shape, or form, and certainly language is of the highest priority. The member is totally wrong.

[Search and Rescue, March 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, as I have said many times, safety will not be compromised and the safety of our mariners is of the utmost importance. All people in the sub-centre in St. John's were given the opportunity to transfer if they so wished. Obviously some of them did not want to go.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 7th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, of course we are interested in the words of Canadians and the thoughts of Canadians with regard to the modernization of the fishery and we will proceed in that manner.

I would like to read something that came out this week. It states, “I congratulate the minister for holding that type of discussion. We must always be willing to evaluate our policies and see whether we are meeting the needs of today and tomorrow”.

Do members know who said that? It was said by the former minister of fisheries, Robert Thibault.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, the member can rest assured that I will never stand with the NDP.

We are looking at how we can improve our fishery in this country. It is in decline and we have to do something to ensure that it is sustainable in the future and that all fishers can make a proper living.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, we must regain our global competitiveness and provide harvesters with an operating environment where they can actually make a living. To do that we are seeking the input of Canadians. The NDP is not in favour of seeking input obviously.

We will consult, we will take advice and we will listen.

[Fisheries and Oceans, March 6th, 2012]

Mr. Speaker, consultation is seeking advice. That is exactly what we are doing.

The fishing industry is made up of thousands of very capable entrepreneurs who were held back by rules and regulations that disallowed them from making an honest buck because of government policies. The fishermen I know are happiest when they are pulling their nets and not dealing with bureaucracy.