Fisheries committee  Mr. Chair, a lot of times when I read these reports and listen to people present and talk to industry people, I'm left with more questions than answers. I'd like to move a motion, Mr. Chair: That the Committee study Atlantic Canada's Aquaculture industry with a focus on indust

Fisheries committee  I anticipated that question; however, I feel that we need to focus on the Atlantic region because it's very different from what happens in western Canada, number one. Number two, the people from Norway are doing a major aquaculture development in my riding, as we speak. It's in

Fisheries committee  I guess we would travel, if necessary. That's not for me to decide. The committee should decide. Certainly there are ways and means of doing a study without necessarily travelling. If the committee desires it, then yes.

Fisheries committee  I realize, Mr. Donnelly, that might be an issue. I didn't particularly give that a lot of attention. I wanted to get it on the table so it's on the docket for the committee to consider as part of our work term from January to when the House rises at the end of the spring session,

Fisheries committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Welcome, guests. I'm on the other side of the country on the east coast. We have a very different perspective on some of the industry from some people on the west coast. In Newfoundland and Labrador the province is responsible for licensing, inspections

Fisheries committee  Thank you. The audit explains that DFO lacks sufficient laboratory capacity to provide surveillance test results to CFIA in a timely manner. I know in Newfoundland and Labrador, the government invested several million dollars in a fish health facility in the Coast of Bays region

Fisheries committee  Yes.

Fisheries committee  Okay. Again, DFO explains that it applies the precautionary principle within its overall decision-making approach as it pertains to aquaculture. Can you give me a concrete example of the application of this principle pertaining to DFO aquaculture decision-making?

Fisheries committee  I would ask the minister that your officials and you, certainly, pay close attention to the fishers in the industry and the local knowledge they bring to the management of this resource and this stock. They obviously rely heavily on it for their livelihood. Thank you.

Fisheries committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Minister and guests, thank you for being here. I have a couple of questions around Coast Guard issues, so perhaps Mr. Hutchinson can also chime in on some of this. Could you provide an update on the lifeboat stations in Newfoundland and Labrador, which

Fisheries committee  Minister, in the last election we made a commitment to reopen the maritime rescue sub-centre in St. John's, Newfoundland, which was closed by the Harper government. In May it reopened—a promise made, a promise kept. Could you comment on the importance of these maritime rescue sta

Fisheries committee  Living on the island, and of course seeing the impact the ocean can have on major storms as we saw this past week, I truly appreciate the commitment you made to the work we're doing here. Minister, as you know, snow crab is a valuable resource for many fishers on the east coast

Fisheries committee  I appreciate that. Mr. Patterson, you mentioned a lease with the small craft harbours authority. Do you find these kinds of leases to be challenging?

Fisheries committee  Thank you very much.

Fisheries committee  I want to get to a couple more questions. How do you describe your relationship with the department and small craft harbours people in the province? To my understanding, a dedicated program officer was installed in Labrador just a couple or three weeks ago. Have they been helpful