Statement made on 27 May 2009 by Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette
Hon. Céline Hervieux-Payette:
Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. My question is more matter-of-fact and down-to-earth.
I am well aware that we have just registered a record-breaking deficit. Nevertheless, Canadians of very modest means should not have to pay for the government's ideological measures. For example, lowering the GST cost $12 billion in annual revenue. That money would have helped to reduce the current deficit.
Madam Leader, the most important species to Canada's east coast fishery is lobster. In any given year, lobster sales bring in $1.3 billion. The plummeting price for lobster poses a serious threat to the future of the industry.
The government has shown very little interest in Canadians on the east coast. It failed to prevent the European Union ban on seal products. Will the government intervene this time to provide direct support to lobster fishers?
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