Federal fisheries minister visit to district positive: MHA Jones

Liberal Opposition Leader and MHA for the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, Yvonne Jones, says the visit by federal fisheries minister Gail Shea was not only important in terms of funding announcements for Labrador as a region, but was a  morale booster for residents in her district.

MHA Jones hosted the federal minister during a tour of her district this past weekend, with visits to  Pinsent’s Arm, Charlottetown, Mary’s Harbour, L’Anse au Clair, Forteau and St. Lewis. 

“I was very happy to have the minister connect with people in my district as most never had the experience of a visiting federal minister, especially a federal fishery minister.” says Jones. “I know that residents truly appreciated the opportunity to speak with the minister and express their views on the industry.”

The Opposition Leader points out that the federal minister announced over $2.2 million for infrastructure in Charlottetown and Forteau to enhance their port capacity. “The minister also committed that Mary’s Harbour and Pinsent’s Arm would be added to the Small Crafts Harbour schedule which will enable them to apply for funding for fishery infrastructure including slipways, wharves and boat storage. 

“These communities fully depend on the fishery and as this industry evolves, new and better infrastructure is necessary in order for them to be players and sustain their industry involvement in the long-term. In communities like Charlottetown where the only shrimp plant employs some 200 people and in Mary’s Harbour where 100 workers operate the crab plant, it is important for them to have proper port infrastructure to sustain their industry.”

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