Tourism minister addresses CORA statement

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Sandra Kelly says she is greatly concerned by statements from the "Citizens Outdoor Rights Alliance," (CORA), and the association's plans for an international information campaign.

"CORA President Doug Sheppard says they will start an information campaign aimed at tourist markets, but he does not say what the messages will be," the minister says. "If he is going to ask tourists not to come to the province, he will hurt thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who rely on the tourism industry for their livelihood."

Kelly said this would be a truly regrettable tactic on CORA's part, taken at a time when the province's tourism industry is reaching unprecedented levels of awareness and activity.

"We simply cannot condone any campaign of misinformation and fear that undermines an industry that thousands of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have developed through sheer hard work," the minister added. "We appreciate that CORA's membership has a number of concerns, but common sense should prevail."

Mr. Sheppard also appears to be threatening certain sportsfishing lodges on the Humber River. Again, it is not clear exactly what type of action will be taken, but it is readily apparent that Mr. Sheppard's group is aiming to force people out of business, thereby destroying the jobs which go along with small businesses.

"Mr. Sheppard would lead people to believe that the construction of two sportsfishing lodges on the Humber River would remove the right of local anglers to use these parts of the river," Kelly says. "This is totally inaccurate."

Kelly noted that any Newfoundlander or Labradorian can purchase a salmon licence and fish on any part of the Humber River, adding "no rights have been removed and no rights will be removed. The outdoor rights of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are being protected. There will be no privatization of rivers."

"It's hard to believe that CORA would wage a campaign against people in the tourism industry to gain access to rivers, something all anglers already enjoy," the minister said. "Government will continue to address outdoor issues seriously and responsibly, and we call on CORA to do the same."

All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement