Fisheries committee  Is it that it doesn't happen at all, or that it doesn't happen...?

Fisheries committee  Understood. Can you tell me a little bit about whether the department has any information on the changes, if there are any, of the ocean currents and what effect that has on larval drift?

Fisheries committee  That's fair enough. You said that it's north to south. Is that right?

Fisheries committee  Do I understand correctly that the range of crab is actually expanding north?

Fisheries committee  Is the lobster showing any signs of greater numbers moving north?

Fisheries committee  If the ocean currents are moving generally north to south, that would require a migratory movement of the animals as adults, would it not?

Fisheries committee  Very good. I know that this year we had a relatively successful year with the North Atlantic right whale not getting tangled up in anything, and I don't think any whales were lost. I know that in the previous years there had been some issues. We heard from fishermen here at the committee about the department's approach to closing down whole zones when a small area around the whales might actually suffice, as far as whale safety is concerned.

Fisheries committee  My goodness, Mr. Chair, thank you so much. Thank you very much to the officials who are here. I'm from Alberta, so I have all kinds of coastal experience. I do enjoy the fisheries. I spend a lot of time on the west coast. My experience with the east coast is that recreational fishing isn't nearly as pervasive as it is on the west coast.

Fisheries committee  Do you want me to explain the French?

Fisheries committee  At the heart of the question on this amendment is the issue of mens rea. I wonder if Ms. Klineberg can give us her advice on this. In an amendment to the Criminal Code, usually there has to be a wilful intent or intent to be shown in order for serious convictions or prosecutions to proceed.

Fisheries committee  Thank you.

Fisheries committee  Mr. Chair, if I may, perhaps members of the committee could be allowed to submit their questions in writing to any of the witnesses who appeared before us today and have those answers back. Would our witnesses agree to that?

Fisheries committee  But the ethics behind this bill would suggest that the Vancouver Aquarium should never have been built in the first place, correct?

Fisheries committee  I think that's the point. Anyway, I think I've made my point. I thank you for coming here and trying to help me through what is, in my opinion, a well-intentioned but extremely clumsy piece of legislation.

Fisheries committee  I'm never terribly concerned about the blatantly obvious—well, the intended—consequences of legislation. I don't mean “blatant” in a pejorative way. The problem that I have as a legislator is always the unintended consequences of legislation and what those might actually be. I have a question for you as the department officials.