Another position in Ottawa for MP Alexis Deschênes
Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist
OTTAWA – Alexis Deschênes, Member of Parliament (MP) for Gaspésie-Les-Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj, has been appointed vice-chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
The committee members elected him to this position on June 17 at the Parliament in Ottawa.
This is another role added to his existing duties as deputy leader of the Bloc Québécois and spokesperson for fisheries, oceans, the coast guard, and the St. Lawrence Seaway.
“I am very pleased to have this title, which will allow me to chair meetings at certain times. The Bloc Québécois’ position is interesting because we are a recognized party. In addition to the Conservatives and the Liberal Party, this gives us a certain role. If I ally myself with the Conservatives, I can block the Liberals. If I ally myself with the Liberals, I can block the Conservatives. We have a form of balance of power,” says the MP.
He succeeded in getting the committee to accept a review of the process for allocating fishing rights.
“(That’s) what happened with redfish, but also with exploratory lobster permits in the Gaspé Peninsula and the Magdalen Islands in 2024 and 2025. The idea is not to take away permits from those who have them. There are many people who are unhappy with the way they were allocated,” explains the Bloc Québécois member.
“Ultimately, the idea is to see if we can better guide the political authorities when they grant fishing licenses so that the process is more transparent and generates more support,” said the elected official.
This was part of the Bloc Québécois’ election platform.
“An investigation was conducted to fully understand how fishing rights are allocated. The goal was to identify irregularities and establish an independent agency to grant them. That was part of our platform. At the end of the study, I think it will become quite clear what improvements could be made. Another topic for study is the revision of the Fisheries Act. In this context, the study will allow me to make proposals to amend the Act. If we play our cards right, we could improve the Act,” he says.
The committee’s work will officially begin in the fall.
The elected official spoke with the new Minister of Fisheries about diversifying export markets.
“We agree on that,” adds the MP.
This responsibility could take him to coastal regions across Canada.
“I am first and foremost the MP for Gaspésie-Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine-Listuguj and then the spokesperson for Fisheries and Oceans for the Bloc Québécois. This summer, I want to visit the fishermen on the North Shore, because there is fishing there too. As for going abroad, I don’t have any plans at this time,” he says.
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