Fisheries and Oceans

During question period on fisheries, Conservative members raised concerns about snow crab quota, saying France had been given a 1,500-tonne quota to catch crab in waters controlled by Canada, which they said was worth about $60 million and would harm Newfoundland and Labrador fishers and plant workers. They asked the Prime Minister to cancel the arrangement and defend the industry. The Minister of Fisheries replied that French officials had confirmed no new snow crab licence was issued, that next year’s quotas would be set next year, and that she has strong working relationships with the fishery sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. Parts of the exchange went to personal jabs between members, including remarks about the school nutrition program and how long a member had been absent from the House.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

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3 statements

Jonathan Rowe, The Eastern Peninsulas

Conservative
“France is taking our crab quota, and it will cost us 60 million dollars. The minister said she was disappointed, but that is not enough. I want the Prime Minister to protect Canadian sovereignty and tell France no.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago, I got up here and sounded the alarm on the France crab grab, and the Liberals tried to dismiss it as fearmongering. Once they started to realize that this was a $60-million issue, all the minister did was say that she was disappointed in France’s intent. Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do not want a government that is simply disappointed. Will the Prime Minister stand up for Canadians, stand up for Canadian sovereignty and say no to the France crab grab?

Clifford Small, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame

Conservative
“The Prime Minister gave France permission to catch 1,500 tonnes of crab in Canadian waters. This hurts our fishing industry. I want the Prime Minister to stop this deal.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, selling out our fishing industry to foreign interests is not nonsense. I would have the member for St. John’s East understand that. The Prime Minister and the President of France two weeks ago announced a 1,500-tonne quota of crab to be caught in waters that are controlled by Canada. The Minister of Fisheries expressed her disappointment. The Canadian fishing industry deserves better. Will the Prime Minister stand today with our fishing industry and stop this giveaway, or has he already sold it out to foreign interests?

Clifford Small, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame

Conservative
“The fisheries minister was wrong about crab quotas. I want to know if the Prime Minister will support our fishing workers or sell them out.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, crab fishermen and plant workers back home were not amused with that response from the member for St. John’s East. The Minister of Fisheries should at least know that next year’s crab quotas will be set next year, which is in opposition to what she said, that the quotas have not been announced. Maybe she is catering her response to the French fishermen she met last summer. Will the Liberal Prime Minister stand with our fishing industry, or has he already sold it out like he did with our steel producers?

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