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Fisheries and Aquaculture
December 7, 2009

Province 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."

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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.
 


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