It is extremely likely that Shea will not re-assume the portfolio of the Head Position at DFO, even were she to manage a win in her local riding. Her term has come and gone, and following the usual pattern, another is extremely likely to assume that position once a new Cabinet is declared.
A switch will also allow the gov to procrastinate over resource allocation issues whilst the latest Minister becomes acclimatized. Pretty much a given with any Cabinet position change.
So, who do you suppose is being groomed for this illustrious position? Who has already noted he would be happiest were he to be handed the reigns of power? Why none other than our Island's own, one Mr. John Duncan. Gasp! Yup, incredible as it may seem, Duncan is currently being groomed for, and is extremely eager for his shot at the Title.
While many may think that having a Minister from BC, particularly the Island, in that office would be a good development for the long-ignored West Coast, nothing could be further from the truth. Unless you are a Slipper Skipper that is. For in excess of eight years, Duncan has acted in a manner exactly contradictory to the wishes and desires of Recreational Anglers province wide. Imagine just what he could do in the position of "absolute power" over all of our fisheries. Scary thought that.
The words of those who have unfortunately had to "work" with this man range from "slimy" to much much worse. Given his stance in favor of the 88/12 allocation (something he actually helped create btw), I shudder to think of just what fisheries that program will expand to should he land the job he now so covets.
This is a very Real, and very VERY Dangerous possibility Folks. If you thought Shea was problematic, wait until someone completely and diametrically apposed to our fishing passions takes control!
There is time to thwart this development. We are in the midst of an election after all. Mr. Duncan has solidified his support amongst the commercial sector in his riding, and expects to ride to victory based upon that. The question now is are we strong enough, are we of sufficient numbers to counter their approach and inform his entire Party we are sick to death of being force-fed their peculiar form of "management"? I sincerely hope that those within Duncan's riding step forward and do just that, for the results of not doing so are of nightmare proportions!
Time to organize Folks, time to talk with your spouses, your neighbors, your friends and anyone else who will listen to common sense! This man does not represent your concerns, he instead completely ignores and dismisses them. In fact he wishes you all would simply go away so his ambitions can continue unchecked, and his Fat Friends can get a little fatter.
This is no longer a partisan matter, it has become more than personal. I am not going to tell anyone who they should vote for, but am certainly suggesting just who to vote against. That particular riding has always been split between the Conservatives and the NDP, with the Liberals always trailing a very distant third. As tough a pill as it may be for some to swallow voting for the candidate most likely to overtake Duncan in the polls (NDP - and no, I have no love nor affiliation with that party) at this time, doing so VERY much presents the lesser of Two Evils.
I do not reside in the riding in question, however I FEAR for our future fishing possibilities down the road. Some of you here do live in that riding. I am relying on you to get the word out and carry the day. Duncan's days in office are hopefully numbered, it is now up to you to Make That So! Of course anything I can do to help that cause I am certainly prepared to do so. Feel free to call upon me should I in any small way be able to help your efforts for ridding us of the Enemy, and preventing him from becoming our next Fisheries OverLord!
Nog