Hook Line and Sinker Lorraine Michael, Clyde Jackman, Derek Butler, Earl McCurdy et al

This is one of those times where not being partisan helps so much. The Fishery!

I tend to hold back on Lorraine Michael for a couple of reasons; the first is that it is a party of one in the legislature and two she really does not expect that she will be responsible for any decisions provincially any time soon.

My criticism today I hope will spur Lorraine or other party supporters to do something real about gaining effective voice in our political system.

This morning Lorraine was on VOCM's open-line dealing with her latest topic - the current report on the fishery and the call for the resignation of Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture.


This comes after I watched Derek Butler, the Executive Director of the Association of Seafood Producers wailing on about essentially not getting their own way on fisheries restructuring. Now mind you he is right that government asked for it - it being a one-sided pre-determined outcome (the rationalization) of the fishery which hurts his members least - keeps control in any way possible of the fish - and continues to rake in money from whatever species not overfished yet.

I will get back to the association shortly now continuing with Lorraine the voice of the NDP in Newfoundland and Labrador. Lorraine came off as simply representing the FFAW and repeating their message. That is not the role of the NDP - rather if they want to ever stand a chance of forming a government in this province or more realistically the official opposition - the role is to create their own policy based on a balance of priorities. Right now she is not acting differently than Sarah Palin other than her special interests are the opposite end of the political spectrum.


The FFAW is fighting hard to downsize no different than the seafood producers - the only difference is they want government to pay significantly for their members to leave the sector voluntarily. This is not an answer - this is a cop-out and leaves nothing for future generations.


The NDP should seek compensation for those people and comm unites destroyed by federal mismanagement of this tremendous renewable resource but perhaps it should be in the form of continued employment in fisheries science. After all when the moratorium was supposed to end over a decade ago - it was supposed to be a result of the fish stocks recovering - not permanently disappearing. Tags and other programs were only to compensate for a very short period of time to allow for a "recovery". Those of retirement age should also be provided a pension reflecting earnings that could have been made during the moratorium

This compensation must come from the Government of Canada and everybody from Jack Leyton to Lorraine Michael should be demanding that Stephen Harper deliver and immediately. This country would not be let off the hook by other provinces and other sectors despite the fact that the feds were not responsible in those cases - such as drought and flooding affecting farmers - or global recessions affecting pulp and paper and aeronautics. Quebec and the Prairies would not stand for it and neither would the federal NDP.


Has there been an industrial collapse the size of our fisheries destruction in this country? No. Even when the auto sector was demolished by a corrupt marketplace - the feds and the NDP were right there to bail out what was necessary - that was not the federal governments fault. Newfoundland and Labrador lost tens of thousands of jobs and people from hundreds of communities directly because of federal mismanagement and we are squabbling in Newfoundland and Labrador about how "we" are going to pay for it.


Lorraine Michael should lead the charge in demanding compensation - and the restructuring of the fishery which would rebuild communities and return the industry back to the fishers and people of Newfoundland and Labrador. Downsizing or what most refer to as rationalization (because that word sounds like we are doing something logical) is not necessary. We should have access to 1 billion dollars a year federal money - until the ground stocks recover and the fishery can continue as a permanent renewable sector for our people and our communities.


Politically there is not a party out there that would support the latest excuse of a fisheries report - particularly in an election year. Further Lorraine should recognize that the primary reason for hanging out Jackman now is to divert our attention away from another catastrophe - the deal with Emera on the Lower Churchill. Please stay focused Lorraine and protect these assets like I and many members of your party did when an attempt to privatize Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro was ongoing (before your time here).


There is no doubt Derek Butler is representing his members and looking out for their financial interests but that is not necessarily good for the people and the communities relying on the renewable resource.

There is no doubt that Earl McCurdy is trying to get an easy way out and have his membership paid to leave.

This is not where you will find real solutions Lorraine - the real solutions are going to take a real effort and it means making Ottawa fully accountable and responsible.Your job is to represent this province and the best for its people - share this with your federal colleagues and get them to take the same interest in our fishery as they do constantly with farming and any Quebec related industrial concern.

This is how I know that Danny did not have the passion and skills to really do the job - yes he liked playing around with equalization but he lost. He never bothered to take on the feds regarding the fishery - just small dramatic roles with Larry King and Mark Critch. He does wear the coat occasionally

Simms regarding "rationalization" or "rural downsizing" take a break - have a tea and rethink.