John Cummins, M.P. Delta-South Richmond

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 9, 2001

Mentor to Natives Only Role for East Coast Fishermen

Every aspect of the fishery is on the table for possible transfer to native bands as part of an open-ended offer to engage in treaty negotiations. While the treaty negotiations are underway, buy-outs of non-native fishermen will continue. The government has indicated that it is prepared to turn over management of the fishery to natives through co-management schemes.

The only carrot offered to non-native fishermen is that while they may no longer own a license, or vessel and fish as an independent fishermen, they will have the opportunity to mentor native fishermen who may be operating their former license and vessel.

It is believed that the government intends to spend upwards of $350 million on buying access for native communities. To avoid causing fear and anxiety in fishing communities, the government refuses to say how many licenses they are intending to take for transfer.

"Mr. Dhaliwal's announcement supposes that the only role for the displaced fisherman is to act as mentor to native fishermen who have taken their jobs. This certainly does not work to reconcile natives with the wider community, which according to the Supreme Court was the reason for recognizing aboriginal rights."

"Robert Thibault, the newly elected Liberal M.P. from West Nova, ran in the November election on a platform of challenging the government to protect fishermen and their communities. Where was Mr. Thibault and other recently elected Liberals from the Maritimes when the government was devising this plan to gut fishing communities?" said Cummins.

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For more information, please contact:

John Cummins, M.P.
(613) 992-2957
(604) 970-0937 (Cell)