June 9, 1998
(Executive Council)

The following is being distributed at the request of the Conference of Atlantic Premiers:

Post-TAGS initiative

Premiers reaffirmed their support for a new initiative to replace The Atlantic Groundfish Strategy (TAGS) and called upon the Government of Canada to establish an effective successor program immediately.

Premiers noted that TAGS is due to expire at the end of August of 1998 and emphasized that it has constituted an essential lifeline for nearly 40,000 individuals from Atlantic Canada and Quebec. These individuals, through no fault of their own, have seen their livelihoods, and those of their families and communities, severely threatened by the collapse of groundfish stocks off the east coast of Canada. The closure of the groundfishery by the Government of Canada constituted the largest single "layoff" in Canadian history, and the economic and social impacts arising from this necessary action have had a profound effect throughout the entire region.

Premiers noted that several independent reviews commissioned by the Government of Canada have concluded that the social and economic stresses created by the fisheries crisis are continuing to represent a fundamental challenge to the future of many rural communities in Atlantic Canada and Quebec. It is now clear that many of the principal groundfish stocks off Canada's east coast remain incapable of sustaining a commercial fishery. This was not expected to be the case when the TAGS program was introduced. Fish stocks were expected to recover and TAGS was conceived as a "bridging" program over that period.

Premiers noted that the scope and seriousness of the challenge still confronted remains of national and extraordinary magnitude that cannot be met through the normal programs of government. Premiers stressed that a comprehensive and effective post-TAGS program is essential to the futures of individuals and communities throughout Canada's five eastern provinces.

Premiers also reaffirmed the fundamental objective of any new initiative should be individual and community adjustment, and that this is achievable if properly designed and adequately funded. Premiers stressed that further work in cooperation with the Government of Canada is necessary to meet the challenge. Premiers stressed that timing is becoming critical and that a fair and adequate new program needs to be implemented immediately.

Contact: Kim Thomson, information officer, Conference of Atlantic Premiers, P.O. Box 2044, Halifax, NS, B3J 2Z1, (902) 424-8975.

1998 06 09                               11:40 a.m.