House of Assembly Passes Amended Motion Regarding the Fishery

Amendments presented today in the House of Assembly strengthened a private member’s resolution regarding the fishery which was debated and passed by members of the legislature.

“The Provincial Government places significant importance on the fishing industry for rural and coastal communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “This $1 billion industry is the lifeblood of many communities and will continue to play a significant role in our province’s overall economy for years to come. Amendments brought forward today in respect to a Private Members Motion express our resolve in keeping this industry at the forefront and they provided a great opportunity to highlight our government’s strategy in dealing with the challenges that exist.”

The amended resolution confirms the Provincial Government’s commitment to the principle of disallowing the shipping out of unprocessed resources. It provides a commitment to work with the Federal Government to adopt a policy that will ensure all adjacent fish resources are harvested for the benefit of the province. The amended motion also commits the Provincial Government to maintain a policy that in cases where it is absolutely necessary to provide exemptions from the province’s minimum processing requirement they be provided for a defined time period and subject to periodic review.

“Our government has shown firm resolve in ensuring our people are the primary beneficiary of our natural resources,” said Minister King. “Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the only jurisdictions that has implemented minimum processing requirements, to ensure fish landed here is processed here, and where exemptions are granted, they provide the maximum possible benefit for those affected. These policies are complementary to the over $50 million invested through the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture since 2003 in support of the fishing and aquaculture industries. I also note our departmental budgets exceed that of all other Atlantic provinces combined. We stand firm on our reputation of providing sound guidance and solid investment for fishers throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Our government will continue to show the same commitment in the years to come, and we are pleased to see the Official Opposition support today’s amended motion as well.”

The amended bill passed 36 votes in favour, five against.

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Media contact:
Bradley Power
Director of Communications
Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture
709-729-3733, 699-5707
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca 

BACKGROUNDER
House of Assembly Resolution as Amended

WHEREAS the fishery is the lifeline of hundreds of communities in our province, with both the harvesting and processing contributing significantly to the personal incomes and regional economies;

AND WHEREAS this government already applies the most progressive minimum processing legislation in the country to ensure our people are the primary beneficiaries of our fish resources;

AND WHEREAS this government is already on record as stating that our people and our communities must be the primary beneficiaries of our fish resources;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that this House of Assembly encourages the Provincial Government to immediately recommit to the principles of disallowing the shipping out of unprocessed resources in order to protect regional and provincial economies; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this House of Assembly encourages the Provincial Government to work with the Federal Government to adopt a policy that will ensure all adjacent fish resources – not only quotas held by processing companies – are harvested for the benefit of this province, and companies owning enterprise allocations should provide the Provincial Government with a plan disclosing their intended best use of these public resources so that our people and communities continue to benefit; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this House of Assembly encourages the Provincial Government to adopt a policy that in cases where it is absolutely necessary to provide exemptions from the province’s minimum processing requirement, they be provided for a defined time period and subject to periodic review.

2012 04 04             5:20 p.m.