FISH Committee Report
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March 10, 1998
Mr. George Baker, M.P.
Chairman
Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans
Room 460, Confederation Building
House of Commons
K1A 0A6
Dear Mr. Baker:
Re: Dissenting Opinion - Recommendation 10F - East Coast Report
10 f) A new federally-funded, multi-year infrastructure and job diversification program, administered under established practices (which) must be directed towards the people most affected by the downturn in the east coast fishery and which must have community input. Canadianization of the fishery should be a major target area.It is with great hesitation that I write a dissenting opinion, pursuant to Standing Order 108(1)(a). However, I believe that recommendation 10 f) of the East Coast Report may leave the reader with the impression that we are in fact recommending a sequel to the current TAGS program beyond May 1999. I therefore must clarify my position with respect to this recommendation.
I do support the continuation of TAGS up to May 1999, the date of the original written commitment by the Government of Canada. It is my view that creating "a new federally-funded, multi-year infrastructure and job diversification program" or TAGS II would not address the problems within the bureaucracy of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans nor will it address the problems within the fishery itself.
We heard from witnesses, over and over again, who testified before the Committee with concerns relating to the misuse and mismanagement of TAGS funds and this was confirmed by the Auditor General. Although this recommendation attempts to address the above mentioned issue, this in itself is no reason to recommend a sequel program.
It is my view that the Government must consider permanent solutions with respect to the management and Canadianization of our fishery in order to ensure long term, meaningful job creation. We must focus our energies on constructive recommendations that will identify the sustainable fisheries of the future and ensure that Canadian fishermen and processing plants are given access to the resource.
Even after six years of income support programs, totalling $3.4 billion, if the resource is unable to support the fishermen, then it is time to look at alternative resources which are sustainable. I believe that all fishermen recognize that the fishery is dynamic and not static. We must identify the fishery of the future and make it available to the fishermen.
Recommending any program beyond May 1999 would be premature at this time.
Saanich-Gulf Islands