Provincial ministers meet in Ottawa to discuss E.I. concerns

Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Walter Noel and Development and Rural Renewal Minister Beaton Tulk discussed problems with Canada�s E.I. programs with federal Human Resources Minister Jane Stewart yesterday, in Ottawa.

Earle McCurdy, president of the Fisheries Food and Allied Workers (FFAW), participated in the meeting and emphasized the problems faced by workers in the fishing industry.

"The meeting was part of our continuing effort to get changes we need in the E.I. program," said Minister Noel.

Minister Tulk saw the meeting as an important step in bringing stakeholders, the federal and provincial governments and the fishing industry together. "This is especially critical for the plant workers in rural Newfoundland who may find themselves without enough work in the fall due to the cuts in the crab quota."

The provincial ministers feel provincial concerns have been made clear to Minister Stewart, and are hoping concerns will be answered in the near future.

Media contact:

Catherina Kennedy Kelly, Intergovernmental Affairs, (709) 729-1341, (709) 687-0302.

2000 06 22                         11:25 a.m.