Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, Mr. Surette has a long-standing history of community advocacy. He is has been a well respected member in his community. He has worked in fisheries negotiations in the past. I have full confidence in his abilities, and I will continue to make sure we work closely with him to see what his report comes out—

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the Marshall decision is clear that first nation communities have a right to fish. We are working with those communities to make sure that we are able to implement that right. It is a critical piece of work for reconciliation, and it is a priority for this government.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, once again, I have been meeting with the indigenous communities in Atlantic Canada as well as indigenous people right across the country when it comes to the fishery. That is part of the role of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. They need to be consulted. They need to be heard.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I have had a number of meetings with commercial harvesters as well as with indigenous people and first nations communities. It is imperative that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans continues to have those conversations. That is something I will continue to do.

Business of Supply  No, Mr. Chair, I had many meetings with Chief Sack over the last number of months. I will continue to do that. It is part of the negotiation process. It is important that we continue to have conversations with the chief, with all the chiefs. That is what I have been doing and that is what I will continue to doing.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I have read the Marshall decision. The decision is extremely important. It affirms the Supreme Court decision on the right for first nations to fish. We will continue to work with them to ensure we implement that right.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, the second Marshall decision actually clarifies the first Marshall decision, because there were questions around that decision. The second has ensured that it is clarified so we can make sure we move forward to ensure we implement the right.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, our government takes a whole-of-government approach to reconciliation. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations has been extremely active in this file with me. I meet with her on a regular basis. She has met with me and first nations throughout this process. We have to continue to do that.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I meet with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations probably on a daily basis about this issue. It is extremely important to me that we have a whole-of-government approach to reconciliation. I will continue to do that. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations has a lot of knowledge she offers to this file, and I continue to learn from her every day.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, our government has been committed to reconciliation from day one. We know how important it is to implement the Marshall decision. We are going to continue to work toward implementing it. Reconciliation is a key priority for our government. The previous government left reconciliation on the table.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, as I have said, we take a whole-of-government approach to reconciliation. The Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations is actively involved with me on this file to ensure we are moving forward in a positive way in reconciliation, but recognizing that Fisheries and Oceans is actually my file.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, when I was first elected in 2015, my maiden speech, I believe, was on how proud I was to represent my community, and that still stands today. As the member for South Shore—St. Margarets, it is extremely important to me and I will continue to do the best I can to represent my community.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I apologize to the Leader of the Opposition. I am afraid my Internet cut out while he was asking his question and I did not hear it. Is there any way I could have him repeat it, please?

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, there have been a number of measures that we have taken to ensure we are addressing the fishery and to ensure we are sustaining it for the long term. During COVID-19, we invested close to half a billion dollars in the fish harvester benefit and grant program, which delivered financial support to self-employed harvesters across the country, who have been facing hardships brought on by COVID-19.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I continue to meet with commercial harvesters on a regular basis. I have been doing that since I was first appointed as Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. I will continue to do that. I have met with harvesters from right across the country, not just in Atlantic Canada.