SUPPLEMENTARY OPINION TO RECOMMENDATION NO. 20 OF THE FIRST REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON FISHERIES AND OCEANS

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EAST COAST REPORT

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While we the undersigned do not disagree with the preamble of the recommendation no. 20, as written in paragraph 153, we do believe that the wording of the actual recommendation will not resolve the fundamental issue of restoring lost trust.

This recommendation also creates a conflict with the constitutional principles of parliamentary government and ministerial responsibility.

A fundamental principle of Canadian justice is that no person may be punished without due process in which the wrongdoing of which he or she is accused is proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Recommendation no. 20, as it is worded, would appear to advocate punishing individuals merely for being accused or even just suspected of some undefined failing. `Witch hunt' justice is no justice at all and it would certainly do nothing to restore trust between the fishing community and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Instead, we offer an alternative recommendation which we believe takes aim at restoring this lost trust. It reads:

The Committee recommends that the Minister demonstrate his will to restore trust between the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the fishing community by undertaking a review of the managerial and organizational functions within his department to determine where new direction is required, and report back to the Committee.

With the exception of our dissenting opinion on recommendation no. 20 as it currently reads, we fully concur with the Committee's report, and we look forward to the Minister's response.

Respectfully submitted,

Wayne Easter, Liberal MP., Malpeque, PEI
Sophia Leung, Liberal MP., Vancouver Kingsway, BC
Nancy Karetak-Lindell, Liberal MP., Nunavut, NWT
Carmen Provenzano, Liberal MP., Sault Ste. Marie, ON