Fight-back Continues With Occupation of MPs and Government Offices

April 29, 2003

The fight back campaign against the closure of the cod fisheries continued today by fish harvesters and plant workers in a number of locations throughout the province.

In St. John’s, fish harvesters from the Northern Peninsula and west coast took over Gerry Byrne’s regional office, located at the Baine Johnston Building, 8th floor.

They are demanding a meeting with Mr. Byrne, their Member for Parliament and Newfoundland and Labrador’s representative in the federal cabinet, and with Federal Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault.

They are angry with Mr. Byrne (Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte) who they say has not been representing their interests. For example in an interview with CBC Radio this week, Mr. Byrne said that people in his constituency and across the province are telling him “it is time to move on.” The fish harvesters say they want a fishery and that Mr. Byrne has not been representing their views. In addition, they say the fisheries minister should have listened to his own Conservation Council which said that closing the commercial fisheries will not help rebuild cod stocks.

In addition, plant workers employed at FPI Fortune occupied Liberal MP Bill Matthews’ office in Marystown. These workers, like hundreds more throughout the province, depend on cod to process in their plant. They want a meeting with Mr. Matthews to discuss their concerns.

Mr. Byrne’s Corner Brook office which was occupied Friday and Monday has now been shut down with a message informing the public that because of the protests by fishery workers, his office has been closed until further notice.

The nine DFO offices on the west coast (Burgeo, Port aux Basques, Stephenville, Corner Brook, Rocky Harbour, Plum Point, Port au Choix, St. Anthony and L’anse au Loup) remain closed today. Fish harvesters demanded Monday that they be closed for the rest of the week.

And earlier this morning fish harvesters and plant workers on the south coast of Labrador wrapped their DFO office in fishing gear. They also met with their MP, Lawrence O’Brien, and are currently occupying his office. They told their MP that they need a fishery. Cod is the main resource for small-boat harvesters on the south coast of Labrador. Without it, their incomes will plunge by more than 80% forcing them to leave the province.

In the meantime, FFAW/CAW President Earle McCurdy is returning from Ottawa today after meetings with federal Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault, Gerry Byrne and other federal officials.