Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Ms. Gibbons, the minister's mandate letter states, and I quote, that she's to work to “make new investments and develop a conservation strategy to restore and rebuild wild Atlantic salmon”. Last year salmon anglers asked for an eight-week extension to the river guardian program. The minister provided a four-week extension, basically, to supply half the guardians. Basically, the minister provided one-quarter of what was asked for.
You just stated that you had an 8% increase in your budget, and DFO's budget has increased since 2015 by close to $5 billion. Why was, basically, a $2-million ask to provide protection for Atlantic salmon, in line with what was in the minister's mandate letter, not provided in Newfoundland and Labrador?