News Release Archive
PREMIER--PREMIER ASKS FOR IMMEDIATE REVIEW OF FISHERIES FEES ------------------------------------------------------------ Premier John Savage has asked the federal fisheries minister to consider a gradual phasing-in of proposed licence fee increases. In a letter sent to Fred Mifflin today, the premier said the proposed fees will mean a loss to the Nova Scotia economy between $10 and $20 million a year. This loss is "significant and cannot be ignored," the premier's letter states. "I am speaking about the devastation our communities are experiencing and I am not overstating the case. This point is being reiterated across Nova Scotia by numerous coalitions representing families, industry and municipal councils who fear for their future." The federal government last year proposed increases in licence fees that will bring the federal government $45 million in additional revenue. The provincial government began protesting the fees last June. Since then there have been a series of letters, phone calls and face-to-face meetings between the Nova Scotia and federal government. Premier Savage and Fisheries Minister Jim Barkhouse met with the federal minister as recently as last Wednesday. In his letter to Mr. Mifflin this week, the premier said that if Ottawa isn't prepared to phase-in the increases, then the federal government should at least consider changing the method of collecting the fees. The premier suggested Ottawa might collect the fees at intervals during the year, as opposed to collecting the fees up front before the fishermen even had a chance to earn some income. The letter also asks the federal minister to re-examine the licensing policy as it affects handline, trapnet and weir fishers in Nova Scotia. The current classification plan is "not reasonable" given the economic significance of these sectors. Premier Savage also suggested the need for a task force to assess the cumulative impact fees and other policies will have on the fishing industry as well as communities across Nova Scotia. "Perhaps a task force, chaired by several members of Parliament, would be a mechanism to collect and assess information about the impact of the fees." Premier Savage asked the federal minister to consider Nova Scotia's proposals and report his findings back to the province. -30- Contact: David Harrigan 902-424-6600 jlw Feb. 13, 1996 4:30 p.m.