WEST POINT, P.E.I. — The Conservative Party of Canada announced Monday it will pledge $250 million to support small-craft harbours across the country.
Egmont Conservative candidate Logan McLellan made the announcement at West Point Harbour, saying if the Conservatives were to be elected, a focus would be on the traditional workforces like farming and fisheries.
The party said it will implement ways to help support fisheries throughout Canada.
This plan will include creating advisory panels with fish harvesters, anglers and Indigenous peoples, new recovery plans for all of Canada’s critical fisheries and working with the industry to create a plan to prevent seafood fraud.
“There is a feeling from some people that the federal Liberal government is not taking their concerns seriously," McLellan said. "The ‘Ottawa knows best’ approach is not helping these folks get ahead. At times, there has been a feeling our local MPs are not taking these concerns to Ottawa."
Another aspect of the Conservative plan is the reduction and recovery of waste in Canadian oceans.
“So many folks depend on the fisheries to support their families and their communities. We need a plan that protects the environment while also allowing the people in these communities to make a good living.”
The Conservatives vow to create an initiative that will help both the environment and fishermen, said McLellan.
“Supporting our fishers is an important part of a real plan to protect the environment. Part of our efforts in combatting ocean plastics (will be) by working with international partners to reduce the prevalence of ‘ghost’ gear or abandoned and lost gear.”
