MOU puzzle needs a more proactive approach says Opposition    

Marshall Dean, MHA for the District of The Straits-White Bay North and Opposition Critic for Fisheries, says the provincial government needs to be more proactive and prepared on a number of action items   to ensure the timely success of the MOU process.

Dean questioned the minister of fisheries today in the Legislature on the obvious need for a formal community voice in the MOU process, a timely market analysis, as well as the necessity for free trade advice on the financial assistance government could provide the industry through its transformation.

“We are nearing the one-year anniversary of the signing of this agreement and at the rate this process is unfolding, I am fearful that it will be years before there is any significant headway,” says Dean. “To begin with, there is a glaring need for a broader and formal inclusion of voices in the MOU process, including that of communities. The upcoming changes in the fishery restructuring will impact their viability and perhaps their future; and they deserve a say now, not months or years down the road.”

Dean also points out that government commissioned a report on the investments considered to be NAFTA risks, but failed to broaden the terms of reference to include the type of investments government could provide to help the industry through this challenging time. “This type of information would certainly aid the process once the point of making investments is reached.  Plus, a marketing analysis is such a critical part of this whole process and the later that piece comes together, the longer the solutions will take to implement.   

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