FFAW Marks World Fisheries Day with Advocacy on Parliament Hill
This week FFAW-Unifor President Keith Sullivan was in Ottawa meeting with Members of Parliament and Senators to discuss Newfoundland and Labrador fisheries issues. Many meetings focused on the importance of amendments to Canada’s Fisheries Act that protect and promote the independence of inshore owner operators, the need for increased fish harvester input and engagement in fisheries science, and the importance of incorporating the socio-economic concerns of coastal communities in fisheries management. Sullivan had productive meetings with various government policy advisors and representatives of the Liberal, Conservative and New Democratic Party including Churence Rogers (MP for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity), Ken McDonald (MP for Avalon), Todd Doherty (MP for Cariboo-Prince George) and Fin Donnelly (MP for Port Moody-Coquitlam), and Newfoundland and Labrador Senators Fabian Manning, David Wells, Norm Doyle and Mohamed Iqbal-Ravalia. On Wednesday, FFAW representatives joined members of the Canadian Independent Fish Harvesters Federation for an event to mark World Fisheries Day on Parliament Hill that was attended by a number of MPs and Senators from across the country, including Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson.