Fisheries and Aquaculture
December 7, 2009Province Calls on
Federal Government to Reject Amendments to NAFO Convention
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is
calling on the Government of Canada to reject the
proposed amendments to the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries
Organization (NAFO) convention. The House of Commons is
currently debating the amendments. Regrettably, the
Federal Government is not required to follow the wishes
of the Members of Parliament.
"It is our view that the Government of Canada should
not ratify these amendments and should notify NAFO of
its objections to them," said the Honourable Clyde
Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.
"Canadian control over fisheries inside the 200-mile
exclusive economic zone can be compromised if these
amendments proceed. Furthermore, there is growing
concern that the proposed NAFO amendments will
potentially have serious and long-standing
consequences."
All Newfoundland and Labrador Members of Parliament
are supporting the position of the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador. A motion has been made that
the House of Commons accept the report of the House of
Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans. The
committee supports the position of the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador. It has also recommended that
the Government of Canada not ratify the amendments to
the NAFO convention and notify NAFO of its objections to
them.
"We understand that the vote of the House of Commons
on these amendments may proceed later in the week," said
Minister Jackman. "Our government is urging the
Government of Canada to permit full debate so that the
views and wishes of all MPs may be heard on this
important matter."
The Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of
Newfoundland and Labrador, has written two letters to
Prime Minister Harper expressing the views of the
Provincial Government. As well, the Premier has
addressed the issue with his Atlantic counterparts
through the Council of Atlantic Premiers. The former
provincial Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture
appeared before two House of Commons committees and a
Senate committee regarding the amendments.
"The views of the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador have been made abundantly clear to the Federal
Government," said Minister Jackman. "This is an
important issue of Canadian sovereignty and the
Government of Canada should heed the wishes of its
Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans."
- 30 -
Media contact:
Lori Lee Oates
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and
Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 690-8403
oatesll@gov.nl.ca
2009 12 07 4:40 p.m.