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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says it is more apparent than ever that the
premier’s fishery summit held this spring was nothing more than a
smokescreen to deflect political pressure away from him and his government
and their inability to deal with fisheries issues. "This summit raised
expectations that there would be solutions forthcoming, but months later the
fishery in this province in no better shape than it was. As a result,
thousands of people have already left rural areas of this province and
before school opens this fall, we are likely to see thousands more pack up
and leave."
The Liberal Leader highlighted a number of scenarios around the province
where government has failed to provide effective leadership with regard to
fishery issues. "If you look at Harbour Breton, last February the premier
held out Bill Barry as the saviour of the plant in that community, but the
plant still remains idle with the locks on its doors. In Fortune, Minister
Rideout touted Cook Aquaculture as a possible operator for the plant in that
town, but to date no commitments have been made by that company or FPI to
the 350 workers who lost their jobs over a year ago.
At this so-called summit, the premier also floated the idea of
establishing a co-op to purchase FPI’s marketing division in the U.S., even
though FPI stated from the outset that this division was not for sale.
Shortly after the summit, the premier also stated that both the Barry Group
and the Penney Group of companies were both interested in purchasing FPI’s
assets in this province. It is now evident that all of these proposals are
off the table and we’re are back to square one with FPI’s plants in Fortune
and Marystown.
It is also now quite apparent that the premier and his government dropped
the ball on the FPI file by allowing its board of directors to close plants
in Harbour Breton, Fortune and Marystown and not forcing this company to
leave fish quotas that were traditionally processed in these communities. As
a result, we see some1300 workers whose lives have been put in turmoil with
no options but to leave this province and seek employment elsewhere.
"The challenge of keeping the fishery and rural Newfoundland and Labrador
functioning was a test of the premier’s leadership and most people now
realize he has failed miserably. During the last election, one of his prime
commitments was to create jobs and opportunities in rural areas of this
province. It is now obvious to all those who left the province and those who
are considering leaving that the premier has not come close to honouring
this commitment."
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