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Opposition Leader Gerry Reid says he is frustrated by the lack of action
being shown by Premier Danny Williams and his government as it relates to
fishery issues in the province.
In response to questions in the House of Assembly this afternoon
regarding the closure of additional fish plants in the province, the premier
casually announced a summit would be held in the near future to discuss the
crisis in the fishery. No details on the date, time or location was
announced.
"This is another in a long list of delaying and deflection tactics by the
premier," said Mr. Reid. "Similar to Harbour Breton, Fortune, Marystown and
Stephenville, the premier is trying to address the issue with words instead
of action. Time and time again, we have heard this premier commit to
addressing these issues, but we have been waiting for the past 18 months and
still no results.
"This afternoon we asked the premier to hold an emergency debate on the
crisis currently taking place in the fishery. As usual, he refused the
request because his government would have to answer tough questions. The
mention of a summit in the House of Assembly appeared to be nothing more
than a thought that crossed the premier’s mind as he searched for a reason
to deny our call for an emergency debate. By deflecting the issue and
calling for a summit, he figures people will somehow forget his dismal
failure in addressing fishery issues in the province.
"As the premier sits back and does nothing, fish plants and harvesters
are suffering. Each time we raised issues over the past several months, we
were accused of fear-mongering. Today proves once again that there are
serious problems in the fishery, problems that should have been addressed
months ago. We were also informed today that amendments to the FPI Act will
be coming next week. I say to the premier that it is about time. If he made
these changes last year, FPI communities may not be in the critical
situation they are today.
"Talk is cheap and the premier is full of talk. Instead of avoiding
issues in the fishery, I suggest he stand up and take action. I am hopeful
there will be some progress from the premier’s so-called summit. If not, I
fear many in our fishery will be forced to leave the industry and their
communities for good."
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