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Foote repeats calls for early retirement package in light of record employment insurance surplus February 22, 2007 Judy Foote, MHA for the District of Grand Bank, says the federal government must begin investing back into people instead of keeping their record $51 billion employment insurance surplus in the bank. Foote believes some of this surplus should be invested into an early retirement package for the fishery in this province which would allow for a restructuring of the industry. "There are many people in our fishery who are suffering because of quota cuts and plant closures," said Ms. Foote. "On the Burin Peninsula, the Fortune plant has been closed permanently by FPI while the FPI plant in Marystown has been closed with no indication as to whether it will ever re-open. Instead of keeping a $51 billion surplus, the federal government should re-invest some of this money back into the people who contributed to this fund. Instead of forcing people to move to other parts of our country in search of work, aging workers should be allowed to retire with dignity and maintain their households in their home communities. "The provincial government has stated that they would be willing to invest in an early retirement program if it was cost-shared by Ottawa. If this is a pressing issue with the Williams administration, it is high time the premier took it upon himself to show it is instead of sitting idly by while the federal government ignores the need in our province for such a package. I encourage him to take a stand and strongly lobby our federal government for such an early retirement package. With a $51 billion surplus in the bank, there is no acceptable excuse from the federal government as to why they cannot participate in such a program. "Displaced fishery workers are struggling in my district, and throughout the province. As time continues to tick away, people are being forced to re-locate and communities are dying. Without some sort of action by the federal and provincial governments, I fear more people will continue to outmigrate. There is a significant need for an early retirement package in the fishery, and with a $51 billion surplus there is no reason for this program not to proceed."
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