News

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I know the member wants to talk about fisheries, and we are on opposite ends of the country. The east coast has slighty different issues than the west coast around fisheries, but we have a common interest in preserving our fisheries.

The member will be well aware of the fact that on the west coast the Fraser River Sockeye run this year was absolutely decimated. The member for Sackville—Eastern Shore has consistently called for investments in conservation, in enforcements and in habitat restoration.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Madam Speaker, I present a petition that calls upon the government to establish an independent judicial inquiry under the federal Inquiries Act to fully explore all the facts and consult with scientists and stakeholders to determine what went wrong with this year's sockeye run and present a public report with binding solutions within six months.

By: Darrell Bellaart, Daily News

Nanaimo-Cowichan MP Jean Crowder is throwing her support behind keeping the Green's Landing wharf on Gabriola Island under federal control.

The Regional District of Nanaimo is looking to takeover the wharf to maintain access to tiny Mudge Island, if Public Works Canada chooses to proceed with divestment of the facility.

It is the main access point to Mudge from Gabriola and has been operated federally since 1959.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present.

The first petition concerns rural post offices. One of the things we know about public post offices is they connect communities throughout this vast land, helping us to overcome differences and distances. Public post offices play a key role in our social and economic lives by providing the infrastructure that healthy communities need to thrive and for businesses to grow.

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present.

The first petition urgently calls on the government to establish an independent judicial inquiry under the federal Inquiries Act that would fully explore all the facts, consult with scientists and stakeholders, determine what went wrong with this year's sockeye run and present a public report with binding solutions within six months.

We know of course a judicial inquiry has been called for, but as the member for New Westminster—Coquitlam pointed out today, we need action within the next 20 months. Thousands of people across the province of B.C. signed this petition, and New Democrats, of course, have called for an inquiry for a long time.

Jean is co-hosting a town hall meeting on salmon farming and it's potential role in the Fraser River Sockeye collapse on Saturday November 14th in Nanaimo. Join us in discussing science on sea lice impacts on wild juvenile salmon, specifically the most recent science regarding Fraser River Sockeye. We will also explore the federal role in protecting wild salmon from the impacts of open net-cage salmon farming, economic opportunities in developing sustainable aquaculture, and what we can do.

When: Saturday November 14th, 1:30 pm

Ms. Jean Crowder (Nanaimo—Cowichan, NDP): Mr. Speaker, the escape of 40,000 Atlantic salmon off the B.C. coast will damage the already decimated Pacific salmon stocks, a fact the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans has failed to grasp. Last week, the minister gave permission to a B.C. fish farm to recapture these fugitive fish. It seems a little like closing the barn door after the horse has left.

DFO already cannot find nine million Fraser sockeye that disappeared earlier this year. How does it expect to find 40,000 escaped salmon? Will the minister come out of hiding and deal with B.C.'s collapsing salmon fishery?

September 30, 2009

Ms. Jean Crowder, M.P.
Room 405, West Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
KIAOA6

Dear Ms. Crowder,

Thank you for your correspondence of June 30, 2009, in which you raise concerns about salmon aquaculture in British Columbia.

I appreciate receiving your input and suggestions on this vital topic. Please be assured that conservation of aquatic species is Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO)’s first priority, and that the Department recognizes the cultural, ecological and economic importance of salmon in British Columbia.

June 30, 2009

The Honourable Gail Shea
Minister of Fisheries and Oceans
Centennial Towers
200 Kent Street, Suite 1570
Ottawa, Ontario
KIA 0E6

Dear Minister Shea,

I am writing on behalf of constituents and residents of British Columbia who are extremely concerned with the continuing lack of action from the federal government on the ways salmon are farmed on our western coast.