Thompson Stays in Federal Fisheries Portfolio

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced his cabinet yesterday, with NL’s Joanne Thompson remaining in the federal fisheries portfolio. Other cabinet positions to note include Patty Hajdu who assumes the portfolio overseeing EI and Nova Scotia’s Sean Fraser who is now responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Adjacency (ACOA). Newly elected MP John Zeucelli assumes the labour file as Secretary of State, rather than Minister as was done under Trudeau’s government. 

“FFAW-Unifor is looking forward to meeting with Minister Joanne Thompson to discuss key challenges facing those working in the inshore fishery. Thompson did not have a strong start to the portfolio prior to the election being called, but we’re hopeful that the Minister will take the time to understand the inshore fishery and how several decisions under her predecessor have harmed our province,” says FFAW-Unifor Dwan Street. “We are certainly pleased to have a federal fisheries minister so nearby,” Street adds. 

“There is ample opportunity for Minister Thompson to leave a positive legacy for Newfoundland and Labrador while she is responsible for this portfolio,” Street says. “For our members, top priorities include fair resource allocations – in particular species like cod, redfish, 3K snow crab, halibut, and capelin. The previous minister made several decisions that took away resources and economic opportunity from NL coastal communities and gave it to corporate trawlers. We hope Minister Thompson will right those wrongs,” Street says.  

The Union also takes issue with the mandatory implementation of electronic logbooks this fishing season. As reported by hundreds of fish harvesters forced to use e-logs this season, implementation has caused endless frustration among users. 

“DFO has offloaded electronic logbooks onto private business and forced fish harvesters to comply at their own cost,” Street explains. 

Fish harvesters have faced endless technological issues since adopting the software and the businesses who offer these services have reportedly been largely unhelpful and/or inaccessible in addressing these challenges. 

“This was entirely predictable, given we have thousands of fish harvesters without access to or experience with smart technology in areas without internet or cellular service,” Street says. “Thompson has an opportunity to listen to fish harvesters and re-think the e-log strategy – ensuring those unable to comply can still access and submit traditional paper logbooks.”  

FFAW-Unifor has requested a meeting with Minister Thompson at her earliest opportunity to discuss these and other pressing issues facing fish harvesters in Newfoundland and Labrador.