This news is from Bill Otway, President of the Sportfishing Defence Alliance.
The Conservative's and Liberal's reponses have already been published in earlier posts. The NDP's is below.
The Green Party has not responded in any fashion whatsoever. The Conservatives might as well not have responded given their statement. It should give us some idea of their committeemen to and understanding of the B.C. fisheries issues however. A sad commentary given that the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans is the MP from Maple Ridge. He obviously has a great grasp of the issues. NOT!
The Liberals and NDP as you will note both answered all questions fairly fully. While I may not concur with all their responses, at least they have put their position on the table.
Both it appears, do not understand the difference between a Section 35 First Nations fishery right for food, societal and ceremonial fisheries and, an allocation of fish for commercial purposes in perpetuity.
We should also keep in mind that all three parties voted against hearing from the people of Canada on the Tsawwassen Treaty hearings in the House of Commons Standing Committee.
You might want to address the individual candidates.
NDP’s Response to the SDA’s Questions
1 – What position does your party have on the Common Law Right of Canadians to participate in the fisheries?
Canada’s New Democrats reject the Conservatives’ proposed Fisheries Act and respect Canada’s Supreme Court decisions. Canada’s fisheries belong to all Canadians, not to private interests. We will focus on the long-term economic and environmental sustainability of our marine resources, not on rewarding special interests.
2 – Over the last few years the Habitat Protection Staff (Enforcement) of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been reduced by over 60%. What is the policy of your party with regard to rebuilding and expanding the enforcement capability to protect our threatened fish habitat?
A New Democrat Government will invest more in Habitat Protection and Salmon Enhancement. We will increase enforcement by hiring more fisheries officers and updating the Fisheries Act.
3 – Recently the Government of Canada voted to approve legislation bringing into and under constitutional law, a Treaty with the Tsawwassen First Nation in British Columbia. This legislation went to Parliamentary Committee for review and report back to the House before the House vote. This Parliamentary Committee refused to hear submissions from many concerned Canadians and Canadian Organizations regarding the impacts of this Treaty on the Rights of other Canadians.
Does your party support this refusal to hear from concerned Canadians as a standard policy or will you provide for the opportunity for such Canadians to appear before Committee in the future when similar legislation is before the House?
As Prime Minister, Jack Layton will work in partnership with provincial governments, stakeholders and First Nations to protect adjacent waters, communities, and wild fish stocks.
4 – The Tsawwassen Treaty just recently adopted by the House of Commons provides for the allocation of a fixed percentage of salmon for commercial harvest to the Tsawwassen band in perpetuity. This action, of excluding forever from public access, a percentage of the public resource is an infringement on the Public Right To Fish. Such an action is illegal without accompanying “competent legislation”.
Does your party support this permanent infringement on the Public Right? Will your party bring in “competent legislation” to legalize this infringement?
The Government of Canada has a responsibility to fully examine the treaty and the side agreements to ensure we fully understand its implications for the Tsawwassen First Nation, the people of Delta and its potential impact on further treaty negotiations.
The Supreme Court of Canada has affirmed that First Nations, Métis and Inuit have a right to fish for food, social, and ceremonial purposes. Jack Layton will never condone government tactics to deny First Nations their inherent treaty rights. We believe that it is critical that these rights be defended, while also resolving the needs of communities today.
5 – Canadian negotiators have just recently successfully negotiated a new agreement with the U.S. for the Canada/U.S. Pacific Salmon Treaty. The negotiated terms for this Treaty, particularly as they relate to Chinook and Coho salmon are a major step forward in aiding in the rebuilding these stocks and ensuring Canadians have a greater opportunity to reap the benefits of our own fish production.
Upon completion of this election campaign and the return of the House of Commons to operation, will your party vote to have the currently negotiated Pacific Salmon Treaty, approved, confirmed and adopted by the government of Canada?
During the last session of Parliament, Canada’s New Democrats requested an emergency debate to address the growing crisis of depleting Pacific Salmon stocks.
Canadian and American negotiators worked out a deal to the Pacific Salmon Treaty that will effectively shut down the commercial salmon fishery off the west coast of Vancouver Island for conservative efforts.
This past spring has seen Oregon and California closing their entire salmon fishery and on the Frasier River, stocks are so low that 94 First Nations are being asked to ration their catch. This has put sport or commercial fishing in doubt. We have not seen conditions such as these since the collapse of the cod fishery in the early 1990s.
New Democrats understand that this is a crisis that needs urgent action. On the west coast, salmon are in trouble. If we do not act quickly, we are at risk of losing many species, especially the Chinook, Coho and Sockeye.
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Topic: NDP's Response to the SDA's Questions (Read 9009 times)