NLIS 5
June 24, 2005
(Justice)
NOTE TO EDITORS:
Please be advised that the attached information was provided to all
Members of the House of Assembly, in preparation for the debate on
amendments to the Fisheries Products International Act which occurs
today in the House of Assembly. It has also been posted to the
government Web site at
//www.fishaq.gov.nl.ca/fpi/, to supplement information
posted on June 6, 2005.
Media contact: Billy Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390
BACKGROUNDER
Notes of June 20, 2005 Meeting on Harbour Breton
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The response to Harbour Breton�s economic circumstances requires
flexibility in the delivery of government programs, because Harbour
Breton is the hub community of the Connaigre Peninsula and the
Peninsula is exceptionally remote and isolated from other regions.
The Peninsula is also unique in its distance from harbour and
airport infrastructure.
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The priority for all
parties is to generate ideas for economic development projects that
can employ displaced fish plant workers as they exhaust their
eligibility to receive EI. The IAS Committee, supported by federal
and provincial officials, will have primary responsibility for this
task.
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Federal and provincial
departments agreed to apply their programs and services to the
Harbour Breton situation in a flexible and integrated manner to
address the short and long-term needs of the area.
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The federal government
reiterated its commitment to a $2 million investment through
existing programs and clarified that this amount could be exceeded
based on additional proposals and good opportunities.
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ACOA will make
contributions to economic development projects in various sectors.
Some tourism-related projects are under active consideration, with
the possibility that 40 jobs could be created within 30 days and
another 40 jobs within 60 days (the latter subject to environmental
assessment). ACOA will also fund a project management officer within
the Town of Harbour Breton.
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HRSDC will work closely
with the community and other partners to ensure that its human
resource programs are readily available and closely aligned with the
priorities of the community. HRSDC also offered to finance the
Harbour Breton business and labour market development plan for up to
$250,000 in order to free up provincial funds for other uses in
respect of Harbour Breton.
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As a longer term
initiative, DFO will start immediately to examine the opportunity
for cod aquaculture in association with DFA, ACOA and the community.
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Provincial departments
will examine the best way to apply $1.25 million in provincial
funding to ensure that federal projects can be secured and to ensure
that workers can access employment on a timely basis. The provincial
government will also examine its other economic development and
labour market programs for application to the Harbour Breton area.
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Together, federal and
provincial departments will establish a fast-tracking process for
economic development and labour market projects that will ensure
that programs work for Harbour Breton on a flexible and timely
basis. ACOA and INTRD will act as the focal points for this process.
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Long-term options will
flow from the business and labour market planning process. Projects
related to the plant will be considered in this context.
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The Provincial
Government noted that $3 million may be available to Harbour Breton
upon passage of FPI-related legislation and issuance of the income
trust. The provincial government will continue to work with FPI to
optimize opportunities for Harbour Breton.
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Regarding quotas, the
provincial officials and the community representatives reiterated
their desire for clear decisions in the near future regarding quotas
to sustain a fish processing enterprise in Harbour Breton. In
particular, the province is seeking the establishment of a federal
ministerial committee to provide support for this process. DFO
officials said that the fishing industry has played a very prominent
role in the economy of Harbour Breton and DFO believes it will
continue to do so in the future. There are several options that have
been brought forward by the community that the Department and the
Minister are reviewing. It is important to note that these options
are long term in nature and will require careful consideration. At
this point, no options have been ruled out.
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Future discussion will
occur on the following issues:
a. the Harbour Breton proposal for a community development
fund;
b. the purchase of quotas;
c. the utilization of the $3 million from FPI;
d. employment needs of
other workers in the community.
2005 06 24
2:45 p.m.
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