Fisheries ministers and officials from Atlantic Canada and Quebec concluded meetings today in Ottawa to highlight the importance of the Atlantic Canada lobster industry and to discuss means of addressing the immediate financial and income challenges of the global economic downturn.
Ministers Neil LeClair, Prince Edward Island; Rick Doucet, New Brunswick; and Thomas Hedderson, Newfoundland and Labrador, were joined by deputy ministers from Nova Scotia and Quebec on the mission.
The mission included meetings with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Opposition Leader Michael Ignatieff and NDP leader Jack Layton. Key meetings were held with the Atlantic Caucus and Senate representatives, International Trade Minister Stockwell Day, Fisheries and Oceans Minister Gail Shea and the Fisheries and Oceans Standing Committee.
“We made a commitment to the Atlantic Canadian lobster industry to go to Ottawa and discuss the importance of the lobster industry and the current challenges,” said Minister LeClair. “I was pleased that there appears to be a good understanding among federal officials on the issues facing the Atlantic lobster industry and a willingness to work together on the initiatives that were announced recently.”
“Our lobster industry is very valuable to our rural coastal communities and we must take steps together to ensure its long-term viability and presence in world markets,” said Minister Doucet.
“I wanted to stress in our meetings that the federal programming must take into consideration regional differences,” said Minister Hedderson. “I am pleased that the feedback from federal ministers and officials encouraged development of initiatives that reflect the unique regional needs of the Atlantic lobster industry.”
In addition, the PEI Seafood Processors Association hosted a reception where plans to conduct lobster promotions in several Canadian cities were launched.