Tory member says Fisheries must stand alone WAYNE THIBODEAU The Guardian
Premier Robert Ghiz’s decision to lump rural development with the Department of Fisheries came under fire Thursday in the P.E.I. legislature.
Conservative Jim Bagnall said he wanted to know why the Liberals, who promised a dedicated minister of Fisheries, deviated from that promise by putting Rural Development with Fisheries.
That touched off a fiery exchange between Bagnall and Fisheries Minister Allan Campbell.
Bagnall said the Liberals broke a campaign promise to have a distinct minister of Fisheries.
“Why did your government make an election promise to have a stand alone minister of Fisheries solely dedicated for that economic sector and in your very first throne speech you deviated from that?’’ asked Bagnall.
“When you were out campaigning you went out to everyone in your district saying ‘I am supporting a stand-alone minister of fishery.’ You let every fisherman on Prince Edward Island down because you did not tell the truth to anyone.’’
Campbell said there is a natural fit between fisheries and aquaculture and rural development.
He said the P.E.I. Fishermen’s Association has also solidly endorsed the
change.
“It’s almost humorous,’’ Campbell said, making reference to Bagnall’s line of questioning.
“As I was driving home last night, I called a fellow fisherman, Joey Gauthier from Rustico. I met with Joey a number of times. Joey’s comment to me was ‘wow, what a change, what a change, for 11 years we couldn’t find the minister and now the minister is calling me at home.’ He said it was a nice change.’’
Earlier this month, Ghiz announced a series of changes to his cabinet.
Ghiz created the new Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development.
The premier made Campbell responsible for community and labour development in addition to fisheries and aquaculture.
During question period, Bagnall asked what Campbell has done for the fishing industry.
Campbell answered with three simple words: “low-interest loans.’’
Bagnall, who was fisheries minister in the former PC government, called on Campbell to lobby Ghiz to return his department to only a Department of Fisheries.
“His integrity now is gone,’’ Bagnall said.
“Absolutely not,’’ said Campbell.
“I don’t know how many times I have to tell the member that the fishing industry has embraced this move. They fully endorse this move. Am I going to ask the premier to change that back? Absolutely not,’’ said Campbell.
“He says I’ve let the fishing industry down. Maybe he should take a look around and realize why 20 of his former colleagues don’t sit with us any more. He wants to talk about who let the industry down. I think he knows who let the fishing industry down.’’
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Captain Hugh Highliner from west prince, pei writes: What does the most quoted fisher person from sea cow pond have to say about this? How does he feel about sharing a minister? How does he feel about driving to kings county when he has a problem in the fishery? He always has the answers so WHY is he not speaking out now? Too bad politics gets in the way of really saying what you think. Hope we have a good season on the water because what;s going on in- land is such foolishness.
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