Minister calls on federal government to extend 
EI benefits for harvesters affected by heavy ice

Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Yvonne Jones today called on federal fisheries Minister Robert Thibault and Human Resources Development Canada Minister Jane Stewart to extend Employment Insurance (EI) benefits to harvesters who are unable to fish due to heavy ice conditions extending from Labrador down the northern portion of the west coast.

"The ice conditions around Newfoundland and Labrador in 2003 are the worst we have seen in more than a decade," said Minister Jones. "This ice cover is expected to prevent many harvesters from fishing, particularly those engaged in the lobster, lumproe, shrimp, and crab fisheries on the northwest coast At the same time, their EI benefits are due to expire. The end result will be that many harvesters will not have any income until the ice clears. This will create undue hardship for many harvesters and their families."

Conditions similar to those which currently exist were also experienced in 1974 and 1991. In those years, in recognition of the loss of income to fish harvesters, the federal government took the initiative to extend EI benefits for those who were affected until fisheries could commence. Currently the ice pack extends from Labrador along the northern portion of the west coast. In the event of strong easterly winds, the large mass of offshore ice on the northeast coast could move to the coastline in that area as well.

"In light of the similar circumstances facing fishers this year, I have written the federal government asking them to again extend EI benefits to address this very serious situation," said Minister Jones. "Given that EI income streams are about to terminate, this matter is of critical importance to harvesters in the area. Certainly, I am willing and available to work with my federal counterparts should they need my assistance as they make their decision. In light of the urgency of the situation, I am hopeful they will make their deliberations short and come to a timely and appropriate decision."

Media contact: Cynthia Layden-Barron, Communications, (709) 729-3733.

2003 04 16                                       2:15 p.m.