August 20, 2001 Violence Pays-off for Burnt Church Band OTTAWA-"Violence and threats of further violence have paid off and are being rewarded at Burnt Church by the Minister of Fisheries," said John Cummins, M.P. (Delta-south Richmond). The Minister has abandoned his constitutional responsibility to conserve fish stocks. There is adequate evidence that an out-of-season lobster fishery conducted by the Burnt Church band have hurt stocks in Miramichi Bay. Today the Minister went back on a fundamental promise that he made to Parliament that there would be a commercial fishery where everyone fished under the same rules. His offer for an out-of-season native-only commercial fishery was what DFO only last year said was illegal and a serious threat to the survival of lobster stocks. By caving into violence Herb Dhaliwal has given a signal that violence works. As part of today's announcement, DFO released a report on the Miramichi lobster fishery by John Caddy of the University of London and the UN's Food and Agricultural Organization in Rome. It is obvious from his commentary and recommendations on native conservation practices and participation in the lobster fishery where his sympathies lie and that his appointment was at the behest of the Burnt Church band. "The writing is now on the wall for the lobster fishery." "Dhaliwal's announcement marks the beginning of the end of the lobster fishery in Miramichi Bay," said Cummins. Contact: John Cummins, M.P.
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