NDP Convention Delegates Support Fishers

NDP Convention Delegates Support Fishers

Thursday, November 24, 2005 at 14:01

 

 

A commercial fisher from the Beauval area hopes the premier acts on a resolution passed at this past weekend’s NDP convention.

 

George Hansen moved a motion related to the commercial fishing industry that received unanimous support by delegates in the presence of the premier.

 

The resolution called on the NDP government to immediately reaffirm and re-energize the industry through several measures, including:

 

-increasing quotas for commercial fishers

 

-opening more lakes for northern fishers

 

-having a better system for subsidizing fuel costs of fishers

 

-seeking better prices through new markets

 

-doubling the provincial contribution to the long-awaited fish processing plant in Prince Albert from $750,000 to $1.5 million

 

Hansen says that project, in particular, has to happen if fishers are to see better days ahead.

 

Hansen is anxious to see a government response to the passed motion, but he’s also willing to give the province a little more time.

 

Several government departments are already reviewing what can be done to help commercial fishers. The province is also making plans to update its fisheries management plan.