OTTAWA--"Senior Fisheries officials went into hiding this morning afraid to admit the truth of what the government has done", said John Cummins. M.P. (Delta-South Richmond), Vice-Chair of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.

Consideration of the fisheries section of the Nisga'a Treaty was scheduled today by the Fisheries Committee. Officials from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans were to give testimony on the implications of the Treaty on the fishery in British Columbia.

At the last minute officials pulled out claiming they were in negotiations in British Columbia.

"Nonsense! Fisheries officials are afraid to own up to what negotiators have given away in the treaty."

"They know the impact the treaty will have on the fishery. They have a study which details the coast-wide implications of replicating the fishery provisions of the Nisga'a Treaty and they won't release it."

"The secrecy surrounding this Treaty is scandalous. The public is paying the bill. They have a right to know what they're paying for."