I rise today to update this honourable House on a resolution which was passed unanimously in this House on Thursday, November 21, 2002.

The Resolution read in part, be it therefore resolved that this House unanimously request that all Newfoundland and Labrador Members of Parliament and Senators meet with the Premier, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and the leaders of the Official Opposition and New Democratic Party to ensure we are working collectively and cooperatively for the best interests of the people and communities of this Province.

I am pleased to inform this House that a meeting has been arranged and an invitation has been extended to all of the aforementioned individuals. The meeting will be held in Ottawa on Monday, December 2, 2002.

The main purpose of this meeting will be to discuss a common and cooperative approach to identifying and addressing the potential impacts of possible cod fishery closures in the province, including the need for Ottawa to develop a comprehensive compensation package for affected Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

I will also be attending a meeting of the Atlantic Fisheries Ministers along with the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, while in Ottawa. The potential cod fisheries closures and the state of the Atlantic cod stocks will be the main agenda item at this meeting, and I will once again bring forward the concerns of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians regarding this issue.

2002 11 28                                        2:15 p.m.