Leonard George  Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Chief Leonard George, a great man and inspiring leader, who passed away in December. After his passing, I asked the parliamentary poet laureate, George Elliott Clarke, to draft an elegy in his honour, and I am humbled to share that po

Indigenous Affairs  Madam Speaker, our government fully supports reconciliation and cares deeply about a renewed relationship with our indigenous partners. In fact, the minister and I just visited the leadership of the five first nations in their territory just a few weeks ago. We were pleased to o

Fisheries and Oceans  Madam Speaker, the Government of Canada is committed to taking all necessary actions to help prevent North Atlantic right whales from future harm. The majority of management measures announced for this year's southern Gulf lobster fishery are identical to those announced for th

Fisheries and Oceans  Madam Speaker, the member knows full well that all decisions made by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans are based on the best science. We consult fully with indigenous peoples and local fishermen. We take into account not just traditional knowledge but local knowledge in every

Fisheries and Oceans  Madam Speaker, since I just gave two answers about the lobster decision, I think we should talk about the Arctic surf clam. The member opposite knows full well that if we go back in time to three years ago, the previous government went through a process that was exactly the same

Public Safety  Mr. Speaker, our thoughts are with the people affected by the flooding and with the first responders who are working hard to keep them safe. Initial estimates of damages are in the $24 million range. However, this could increase should the water hit forecasted levels in the upc

Public Safety  Mr. Speaker, our thoughts are with the people of New Brunswick. We offer all the support that we can during this challenging time. That is why yesterday, at the request of the Government of New Brunswick, the Canadian Coast Guard committed to assisting the flood relief effort acr

Fisheries and Oceans  Mr. Speaker, the fact that there is a new participant in the surf clam fishery should be no surprise to the Conservative government. In fact, it started a very similar process three years ago to accomplish the very same thing. The difference is that unlike the previous government

Fisheries and Oceans  Mr. Speaker, our decision to increase indigenous participation in fishing is consistent with our government's commitment to developing a renewed relationship between Canada and indigenous people. Enhancing access to the Arctic surf clam fishery broadens the distribution of benefi

Fisheries and Oceans  Mr. Speaker, just so we are clear, the fact that there is a new participant coming into this fishery is not a surprise, or should not be a surprise, to the former government. It had a very similar process, but excluded first nations people as part of that process. We had a robust

Fisheries and Oceans  Mr. Speaker, I always happy to stand up and talk about just how proud I am of the good work of every member of Parliament from Newfoundland and Labrador, especially the member for Bonavista—Burin—Trinity, who has been in constant contact with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, like the previous government, our government decided it was important to bring in a new player in the Arctic surf clam fishery but, unlike the Conservatives, we did not forget to include indigenous communities. We are proud of our decision, which is going to benefit

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, our decision to introduce indigenous participation is consistent with our government's commitment to developing a renewed relationship between Canada and indigenous peoples. The minister made his decision to allow for increased indigenous participation in the fishery

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, the fact that there is a new entrant entering the surf clam fishery should be no surprise to the Conservatives. Three years ago, they went through a similar process. The only difference is that they forgot to include indigenous people. Our government did not forget t

Ethics  Mr. Speaker, as I said, an increase in indigenous participation in fishing is consistent with our government's commitment to developing a renewed relationship between Canada and indigenous peoples. Enhancing access to the Arctic surf clam fishery broadens the distribution of bene