March 6, 1998
(Executive Council)

Province concerned by mixed messages about post-TAGS Program

"I am deeply concerned by recent indications in the press that the federal government may be considering a significantly reduced program to replace TAGS, or may be planning to address the termination of TAGS through regular programming," says Beaton Tulk, Minister of Development and Rural Renewal, and Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Rural Revitalization.

Mr. Tulk said that recent federal statements in the media on the TAGS issue seem to be presenting mixed messages which are creating a great deal of confusion. "We hear that the federal Standing Committee on Fisheries is going to state that the collapse of the fishery and the response to this crisis is clearly a federal responsibility. The Harrigan Report clearly documented the devastating impact that the fishery collapse has had on families and communities in rural Newfoundland and Labrador, even with the current TAGS Program. Mr. Pettigrew, himself has an internal federal evaluation report nearing completion by his own Department of Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) that reflects the same perspective as the Harrigan Report and makes the point that existing HRDC programming may not be sufficient or appropriate to address the challenges that still confront us. Then we understand from Minister Mifflin that it will be a tough sell in Ottawa for even a stripped down post-TAGS program. On top of this the federal HRDC Minister, Pierre Pettigrew, has stated that he is going to address the situation within regular programing. How can this be when his own internal document suggest otherwise."

"This state of confusion is very alarming," said Mr. Tulk. "We don't understand why this will be a hard sell in Ottawa given that every federal study, every federal party who has studied this issue does not appear to have any difficulty appreciating the gravity of the situation and the need for a substantive and meaningful post-TAGS response program that is outside regular programing. It is perplexing therefore as to why Ottawa seems to be having difficulty coming to grips with this program. If the federal government through mismanagement destroyed the automobile industry in Ontario would it be having the same difficulty and appear to be floundering in a sea of confusion and conflicting positions? The province is on record with the federal government on the need to implement an extraordinary program following the expiry of TAGS and that this response should include income replacement, licence buyback, early retirement, adjustment measures, and a significant economic development and diversification program."

Mr. Tulk concluded by saying that the people who have been forced to rely on TAGS through no fault of their own deserve to know what is going to happen to them after August. "It is incumbent on the government to clear up the confusion federal which has developed in recent days and to indicate to the people of this will address this serious matter. The province how it provincial government concurs that a different approach is needed than implemented to date. However, it is what has been critical that this issue be dealt with sooner rather than later. The province federal government to address this calls upon the matter at an early date and, in an appropriate manner.