April 24, 1998
(Executive Council)

Premier met with Prime Minister on post-TAGS

Premier Brian Tobin said he had an encouraging meeting about the post-TAGS situation last night with Prime Minister Chretien in Montreal.

"The message we wanted to leave with the Prime Minister was that there is a need for the federal government to move quickly to deal with the post-TAGS problem," said the premier. "I conveyed to him that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador are tired of waiting for an answer and that the time for decisive action is now."

The federal government has a responsibility to the thousands of people displaced by the closure of the ground fishery, and Premier Tobin reiterated that point to the Prime Minister. As well, he pointed out that the provincial economy is not in a position where it can absorb 18,000 individuals who will find themselves without income unless there is a sufficient replacement program when TAGS ends. He is especially concerned about what will happen to the people due to come off the program on May 9.

"The federal government simply cannot leave these men and women to their own devices. They must act swiftly to address this urgent need in Newfoundland and Labrador," said the premier.

The premier also said that the internal evaluation of the TAGS Program conducted by Human Resources Development Canada and released today confirms what this province has long known to be true, and reinforces the report to HRDC by Eugene Harrigan.

"All of the reports and all of the studies say the same thing - a replacement program for TAGS is essential for the people of this province," said Premier Tobin. "There has been enough assessment and analysis. What we need now is action. People are frustrated and they're scared about what their future holds. It's time for the federal government to introduce, without further delay, a post-TAGS program that adequately addresses the needs of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Contact: Heidi Bonnell,(709) 729-3564.