Statement made on 07 October 2009 by Senator Lorna Milne (retired)
Hon. Lorna Milne:
Honourable senators, we all know what the European Union has done to our seal hunt. I understand that Prime Minister Harper has tabled a proposed revision of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization agreement in the other place. He tabled it in June, which gives parliamentarians only 21 sitting days to respond.
This revision proposes to turn over two thirds of the control and management of our East Coast fish stocks to NAFO, effectively to the tender mercies of the European Union. Apparently this will cover all our territorial waters, including within the 200-mile Exclusive Economic Zone, right up to the shorelines of Nova Scotia, P.E.I., New Brunswick, Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, and including in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
I ask the Leader of the Government in the Senate if this is a wise idea considering the emotional, easily swayed and unscientific actions by the EU about our seal hunt.
Please click here to read the full text of the Senator's question