Premier and ministers have productive meeting with mayors and FFAW regarding FPI

Premier Roger Grimes met this week with mayors and FFAW union member representatives from communities where Fishery Products International (FPI) have plants in operation. The premier was joined by Cabinet ministers and MHAs representing those communities including Gerry Reid, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Kelvin Parsons, Minister of Justice, Judy Foote, Minister of Education, Oliver Langdon, Minister of Municipal and Provincial Affairs, Percy Barrett, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, Mary Hodder, MHA - Burin-Placentia West, and Lloyd Snow, MHA- Trinity-Bay de Verde.

"I was pleased to have the opportunity to sit down with representatives from these communities, to discuss this very serious issue which is impacting rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Premier Grimes. "I appreciated the concerns which were brought forward to me in the meetings, and I committed to those individuals that we as a government would do everything in our power to protect the interests of the FPI plants in these rural communities, including the amendment of legislation if required."

Premier Grimes added that he is seeking a voluntary commitment from John Risley and Clearwater Seafoods, that in the event they form the new board of directors they would maintain the level of activity in the existing FPI plants around the province. Without this guarantee, the premier says legislation may be required to ensure for the protection of these communities.

"These meetings were a very worthwhile effort, as the community representatives clearly outlined their concerns to government," said Minister Reid. "There is a great deal of anxiety regarding this situation, and I gave my assurance that I would do everything possible to protect their interests and those of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. I have spoken personally with Minister Dhaliwal about this issue and requested a commitment from the federal government that would ensure that all current and future quotas and allocations attached to FPI, are harvested and processed for the long-term benefit of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Minister Parsons said that the Department of Justice has undertaken a review of the three pieces of legislation in relation to FPI, and has retained outside council to assist in the review so as to determine what actions the government can take in an effort to protect the affected communities. "The FPI Act is a creation of this legislature and we have the legislative authority to go back and make necessary amendments," said Minister Parsons. "Right now, we are going to see how the situation unfolds in terms of the election of the board of directors. If we determine that the future of the FPI plants in the province are in any way jeopardized, we will take steps to amend the legislation."

Government will continue to monitor this situation very closely, and will seek a commitment from whomever becomes the new board, which will ensure for the protection of FPI communities. Upon the final selection of the board of directors, government will make a determination if amendments to the legislation are required.

Media contact:
Carl Cooper, Premier�s Office, (709) 729-3564
Elizabeth Matthews, Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, (709) 729-3733
Edwina Bateman, Department of Justice, (709) 729-6985