House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 54% of the vote.
Fisheries and Oceans May 9th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, yes, there are some concerns about the sockeye run this year. As we know, it is a four year cycle and there were some difficulties four years ago. Ocean conditions are certainly a big part of the problem. The government, though, is continuing to invest in science, particularly on this issue, and trying to address some of the issues that we need to know more about. This minister is committed to doing that.
Business of Supply May 8th, 2008
Yes, real prosperous provinces.
Mr. Speaker, I am surprised by that response.
This government supports the efforts that are being made in this round to liberalize trade in the fisheries sector.
These negotiations are also making it possible to eliminate the subsidies that contribute to global overcapacity and overfishing. On November 30, 2007, when the chair presented his preliminary proposal, he clearly indicated that he expected each party to find some things appropriate, others less so, and still others totally unacceptable.
Canada is clear that the chair's first draft proposal is unacceptable. A second draft must be produced and include more acceptable language.
Finally, the Doha round will not be over until all the negotiations in all areas, including fisheries subsidies, are concluded to the satisfaction of Canada.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend and colleague for his interest in this issue. I am pleased to be able to provide some clarification about these WTO negotiations, which began in 2001.
Since roughly 85% of the fish and seafood we harvest is exported, there is no question that Canada needs free and fair trade. The reduction of subsidies and tariffs that are affecting our access to world markets is precisely what we are trying to obtain in these negotiations.
In addition, Canada has made it clear that it is against global overcapacity and overfishing, which result in part from irresponsible subsidies for deep sea fleets.
The chair introduced the first draft text at the end of November 2007 on his own initiative as an attempt to get countries to bring their diverse views together. When the chair of the negotiating group introduced his draft text, he indicated that he did not expect participants to agree to his text at this early stage but he wanted it to be used as a basis for discussion. The chair invited WTO members to accept all, or some, or none of his text.
The chair's first draft is unacceptable to Canada and virtually every WTO member has major concerns with one or more areas of the draft text. It includes aspects that we had thought from general discussions would be excluded. This could include income support, such as EI, and port infrastructure, such as small craft harbours. Canada has stated repeatedly that social safety net programs do not belong in the mandate of this negotiating group because they do not contribute to overfishing and overcapacity. As for port infrastructure, Canada has strongly objected to prohibitions in this area.
The chair also neglected to include certain exemptions, including an exemption for small programs which would have little implication for global overcapacity and overfishing, especially on the high seas, but which are indeed important aspects of domestic policy. Important programs for aboriginal and inshore fisheries would be included here.
In five WTO meetings since the release of the first draft text, Canada has repeatedly insisted that the chair issue a new draft text as soon as possible. The chair has in turn insisted that a first reading of the entire draft text must at least be concluded. That is still under way.
Even though some people have implied that the government is taking a laissez-faire approach to these negotiations, I can assure you that the interests of Canadian fisheries have been and continue to be actively defended in these negotiations. In addition, a huge effort has been made to ensure that the stakeholders, including the provinces, the territories, the first nations and the industry, are kept informed about what is happening.
Notwithstanding misinformation circulating that there is an imminent end to these negotiations, there will be no subsidy agreement until all agree. Decision making requires consensus, not just on fisheries subsidies but on all other aspects of the general subsidy regime.
In conclusion, there are aspects of the draft fisheries subsidies text that Canada supports and that advance Canada's trade and conservation interests, but Canada will only agree to a regime that is acceptable to us and we will continue to work hard to ensure this.
FIsheries and Oceans April 4th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure, under Standing Order 32(2) to table, in both official languages, a treaty entitled, “Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America on Pacific Hake/Whiting”. An explanatory memorandum is enclosed with the treaty.
Fisheries and Oceans April 4th, 2008
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to report that one of the first actions of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans was to immediately reverse the irresponsible Liberal cuts to enforcement and conservation.
We continue to add officers. Very recently 21 new officers celebrated their graduation from the DFO training program in Regina. These men and women will be posted across the country in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and, of course, British Columbia. This brings the number of new hires to 105 since our government was elected in 2006. More will be added in the near future.
Mr. Speaker, my colleague is a bit defensive over his inability to actually influence this issue, but the response to the member's question remains the same. The Governments of Canada and Quebec are collaborating and we are delivering results for the residents of Quebec.
This government is committed to workers in traditional industries, which include the fishing sector. DFO is working hard to support the Quebec action plan, particularly in the area of competitiveness. This work did not begin yesterday and it will not be completed tonight, but at least one thing is certain. The government will continue to deliver results for Quebeckers.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for raising Quebec's new action plan for commercial fishing and the aquaculture industry.
This plan is another fine example of a provincial initiative covering a wide range of interrelated issues. It contains many options and recommendations developed in partnership with industry. It will help Quebec fishers and aquaculturists ensure the economic viability of their businesses.
I would like to take this opportunity to outline what the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has been undertaking that complements and supports Quebec's action plan as well as the economic viability of commercial fishing and aquaculture throughout Atlantic Canada.
Two governments working together cooperatively can accomplish more for fishers and coastal communities certainly than the divisive party to which the member belongs.
The goal of our ocean to plate approach is to build on our cooperative efforts and better coordinate our policies and programs relevant to fish harvesting, aquaculture, processing, distribution and marketing in order to maximize economic value. For us to achieve this goal, it will require the collaboration of government agencies as well as engagement of all participants along the seafood value chain.
This plan will do more than the Bloc has done, or has been able to do, in 17 years, or will ever be able to do. In response to the member, let me focus on the ocean to plate approach we are taking as they pertain to the main themes of Quebec's action plan.
Let me mention three things, which all start with “c”.
The first is competitiveness. In the harvesting sector our government has strengthened and implemented a policy to protect the independence of inshore fishing fleets in Atlantic Canada by phasing out controlling trust agreements.
The department is committed to working with industry to change licensing policies in order to allow fish harvesters to hold more than one licence or to combine enterprises. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is also working to give traditional lending institutions more confidence in providing access to capital for fish harvesters.
The minister has also launched a commercial licence fee review to assess the cost on harvesters. In the short term, department officials are reviewing licence fee relief requests for shrimpers in Quebec.
In terms of regional shares, measures are in place for cod and halibut and we are currently working on seals and other species. The department is actively working with its provincial colleagues to develop a sustainable aquaculture industry in Quebec as well as the rest of Atlantic Canada.
The second is commercialization. Building on the ocean to plate approach, we recognize the importance of market awareness as it relates to the Canadian fishing industry. The department has taken on a facilitative role in working with our federal partners such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Foreign Affairs, International Trade Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to ensure the industry remains competitive abroad.
DFO is participating in the federal-provincial-territorial marketing working group, which is chaired by Quebec. DFO has also supported and participated in ocean to plate sessions on lobster, snow crab and cold water shrimp. These meetings involved participants from all along the seafood value chain and identified key market challenges and opportunities.
Critical to market access is the eco-labelling or certification under international standards. DFO is responding to this on a number of fronts, including fisheries sustainability check lists, contributing to marine stewardship council, certification process and a number of ways.
Finally, is consensus building and recognition. We are strongly in support of this priority and Quebec's action plan and will continue to support it. I would encourage the member to take a cooperative approach and we will get the job done.
The Budget March 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, there were certainly more things than that in the budget. I could have waxed eloquent about all of those if I would have had the time, but I wanted to represent my constituents in this.
For example, there were $22 million over two years to strengthen the aquaculture sector. I think that would be of importance to the member for Egmont. There were $720 million to replace one of the icebreakers along with the other things we mentioned.
The Budget March 3rd, 2008
Mr. Speaker, even for someone from the NDP, I would think $67 million is a pretty large amount. Frankly, this is $67 million more than the province had before the budget. It is not the federal government's responsibility to fund this complete line. It is a provincial project and the federal government will make a contribution to that. We have announced some of that in the budget. There may be more to come, but it is more than it had before the budget.