Diluted fishery motion shows government out of touch on fishery issues

Marshall Dean, MHA for the District of the Straits-White Bay North and Opposition Critic for Fisheries, says government has failed to face the reality that fishery restructuring is occurring now when it watered down a motion calling for interim support for displaced plant workers and communities.

The MHA presented a Private Members Motion today calling for government to provide an enhanced support system to plant workers and communities impacted by plant closures occurring before the MOU has been finalized. Government reworked the motion to reject this recommendation.

“Government members had an opportunity to show they are in tune with the realities of what is happening in the fishery today by bringing in interim measures, but again they showed no leadership and compassion,” says Dean.  “I find it truly incomprehensible how they can on one hand say they are concerned about the fishery, yet not be responsive to the glaring needs of people and communities currently facing the loss of livelihood.  The MOU has once again become the fall-back for this government.

“While we support the spirit of the MOU process, we certainly do not support the fact that this agreement appears to have hijacked all accountability by this government to protect people by offering such measures as an Early Retirement Package and Workers’ Adjustment Funds, as well as a Community Investment Initiative.” 

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