Trading Seal Pelts for Safety? A public letter to Minister King

A public letter to our Minister of Fisheries

Dear Minister King,

Please be advised that I - as one Newfoundlander and Labradorian - have no interest in building bridges with the Government of Canada if that means we have to trade off safety.

You would be well advised to strip the bridge bit by bit - if that means that one life of a Newfoundlander and Labradorian can be saved.

A "partnership" with Prime Minister Harper - a man who lies with ease and without regret - is not worth one life of a Newfoundlander and Labradorian.

Below please read an excerpt from a story in the Telegram today.

...he stressed the government has clearly stated its opposition to the pending Marine Rescue Sub-centre closure. He said the province has participated in a public rally, Premier Kathy Dunderdale has addressed the issue, and he has discussed the decision with his federal counterpart, Keith Ashfield, twice this week. 

“And I’ve been clear to him how we feel about this.” 

King added the opposition parties can criticize and rant, but he has to build bridges with Ottawa to be successful on other issues, such as finding markets for seal products.

“The reality is, I’ve got five or six significant files on my plate that I need to work with the federal government on. While I’m not happy with this issue and I’ll continue to fight it, I still have to work with the minister on other files that are very important to the province.” 

Minister King - let me make my position clear - and as a Minister you work for all of us - there is no seal product, fish, Marine Atlantic ferry or equalization file that ranks up to the safety of our people. If you have to take a stand on safety and that means we have to pull out of other discussions - so be it. If you take that stand we may be able to save the Communications Sub-Centre. That in turn may save lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

Minister King - if you don't already know - nothing trumps the safety of our people - NOTHING.


Our Premier's new cosy relationship with a liar - a Prime Minister who has betrayed our province - should not interfere with your duty as a Cabinet Minister.

If a loan guarantee means we are willing to lose the fight on search and rescue - then you are not fit to be in office.

There is no bridge that man can build that is worth a life. Priorities - Minister King - Priorities.

If you are successful with all other files and fail on this one - you have failed - period. In this Minister Peter Penashue has already failed us -  and more particularly his own peoples.