I am pleased to rise today to inform my honourable colleagues of government�s continued support towards the efforts of the Canadian Sealers Association.

The Canadian Sealers Association was formed in 1982 in response to negative publicity against the sealing industry by some animal rights groups. The association represents more than 6,000 sealers and works with federal and provincial governments to jointly promote the sealing industry.

Over the years, government has provided funding to the organization to assist with various operational costs. Today I am pleased to announce that government is continuing funding in the amount of $50,000 to the Canadian Sealers Association to help with such expenses.

Government supports the important role that the Canadian Sealers Association plays and, for the past decade or more, government and the sealing industry have focused efforts on the rebuilding of our sealing industry. Our overall objective is to ensure that the seal resource is fully developed for the benefit of sealers, other industry workers and communities with a dependence on this important economic activity.

Government is obviously concerned about the impact of the growing seal population in the recovery and sustainability of cod stocks. Earlier this year, Mr. Dhaliwal, federal Fisheries Minister, established an eminent panel on seal management. The four-member expert panel, to which government appointed David Vardy, chair of the Public Utilities Commission, was a recommendation of the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans in 1999 to provide advice on a new long-term strategy for the management of seal populations.

The province commends the federal government for acknowledging the importance of establishing an independent panel to address the seal issue. Government will be making an appropriate representation to the eminent panel and will seek scientific advice to support government�s stand on this key issue. In particular, we will seek advice on the effects of seal/cod predation and the impact it has on cod stocks. We will continue to work with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to ensure that an effective management plan is put in place in a timely manner that will deal with the growing seal herd that is negatively impacting the recovery of our groundfishery.

Government remains fully committed to the sealing industry in this province and the role that the Canadian Sealers Association plays in the industry�s survival. The initiatives government has taken today is a reflection of that commitment to ensuring a sustainable sealing industry.

2000 12 12 2:00 p.m.