Statement made on 08 February 2011 by Senator Rose-Marie Losier-Cool
Hon. Rose-Marie Losier-Cool:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Near the end of December, the coastal areas of northern and eastern New Brunswick were ravaged by three successive storms accompanied by breaking waves and very strong winds. Several harbours and vessels were damaged, thereby compromising this year's fishery, which should begin in May. Most of these small fishing harbours fall under federal jurisdiction, but according to a CBC/Radio-Canada report on January 17, 2011, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans has a maintenance budget of only $25 million to $30 million a year to maintain all fishing harbours under its jurisdiction. That amount is not usually enough, even in a normal year.
Could the Leader of the Government ask the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for a list of the criteria that will be used by the department to determine which ports in my province will receive assistance, and could she table that list here in the Senate?
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