FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FFAW-UNIFOR LOOK FORWARD TO ADVANCING KEY ISSUES WITH RE-ELECTED LIBERAL GOVERNMENT

September 21, 2021 – Members of FFAW-Unifor congratulate the Liberal Party of Canada for its successful re-election, and the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau on his forthcoming re-appointment as Prime Minister of Canada. We thank all federal party leaders and candidates for their public service and efforts to bring important issues to light throughout the election campaign.

In early September, the FFAW delivered its Federal Recommendations and Election Questionnaire to all parties with the platform For Now and For The Future, calling on the federal government to address a variety of fishing and labour issues. The responses to the Questionnaire by the federal Liberal, NDP, and Conservative parties can be found at www.ffaw.ca.

“The sectors within our membership demonstrated their resilience during some of the most challenging economic times in recent history,” says Keith Sullivan, FFAW-Unifor President. “Our priorities reflect a need to improve the livelihoods of workers throughout the province, stimulate our economy by ensuring Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans are the primary beneficiaries of our adjacent resources, and create opportunities to strengthen fisheries management and achieve a more prosperous and sustainable future.”

In the Liberal Party’s previous term in government, some progress was made on commitments made to FFAW members, including protecting the independence of inshore, owner-operator fish harvesters through the passage of amendments to the Fisheries Act that enshrined owner-operator and fleet separation policies in law. However, there is much work left to be done when it comes to fair quota allocations for Newfoundland and Labrador harvesters, meaningful consultations, and consideration for social, economic, and cultural factors in fisheries management.

“We are in a time of economic rebuilding and what is needed most right now is a champion for communities, not corporations, who is committed to creating opportunities for rural Newfoundland and Labrador. We look forward to the announcement of Prime Minster Trudeau’s cabinet appointments and seeking meetings as soon as possible to reiterate the priorities identified by FFAW-Unifor members,” concludes Sullivan.

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For media inquiries, please contact:
Courtney Langille, Communications Officer
(709) 693-8454
clangille@ffaw.ca