For Immediate Release
18 July 2023
On July 11th, NDP Leader Jim Dinn (St. John’s Centre) wrote the Premier calling on him to direct the Prime Minister to direct the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Minister of Finance to work collaboratively and implement an assistance plan for workers. The NDP has called for ensuring EI access and the delay of CEBA repayments until 2024 to protect the owner-operator fishery in our province and to prevent a future workforce shortage.
“The NL NDP supports the FFAW’s economic assistance proposal to aid fishery workers and harvesters. We call on you as Premier to champion these solutions and strongly consider united support from the provincial and federal governments to help the industry meet the challenges it is facing as a result of global pressures beyond its control and forecasting,” said Dinn. “Your advocacy and the federal government’s support for the proposal is essential.
“The federal government must establish a plan to help these small fishery businesses reduce their debt burdens as well as protect workers and their families by providing access to unemployment insurance,” said Dinn. “Not acknowledging this crisis and failing to provide relief measures will directly lead to hundreds of small businesses not being in a financial position to return to the water in 2024.
“The fishery can sustain a strong and vibrant rural Newfoundland and Labrador. This economic support proposal will help secure our communities. We need a clear commitment to the provincial fishery and to rural Newfoundland and Labrador. As Premier, we hope you will lobby your federal counterparts to put these solutions in place and explore opportunities for bridged support across both levels of government. I look forward to a positive response.”
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For further information, contact Eddy St. Coeur, Director of Communications, NDP Caucus at 729-2137 (o), or eddystcoeur@gov.nl.ca