sockeyefry2
Member
What happened to the "Wild Salmon" vote?
Political surprise hits British Columbia
Canada: Only the staunchest optimists and supporters of the business- friendly B.C. Liberal Party would have thought that the party could win a fourth, consecutive mandate
Tips en venn Utskriftsvennlig
Odd Grydeland
Every one of the public opinion polls taken during the last two months prior to Tuesday’s provincial election predicted that the previous government would fall in favour of a significant victory for the B.C. New Democratic Party (NDP). This likely scenario did not sit well with the salmon farmers in the region, as the NDP on more than one occasion had stated its support for a mandatory, industry-wide transition to some form of yet-to-be-developed “closed containment” fish farming system. So it was with great relief that the aquaculture industry saw the Liberal party take 50 of the 85 seats in the provincial legislature, compared with only 33 for the NDP. And while the pollster community is scratching its collective head trying to figure out what went on, people in the resource-based industries are starting to figure out how to move forward with the expansion of their businesses in order to create more wealth for people in the province, and for the government to have additional revenue to spend on health care and education.
While the B.C. Liberal Party has been largely silent on the issue of salmon farming since a B.C. court decided that ocean-based aquaculture should be regulated by the federal government, one Liberal Party candidate (Nick Facey representing Vancouver Island North) expressed his position on salmon farming this way:
“Salmon aquaculture is a very important sector in British Columbia and particularly in the North Island area. It employs thousands of people, creates opportunities for First Nations communities, and creates an environment for a strong network of secondary supply businesses that keep our economy strong, growing and stable. That said, aquaculture can only be supported knowing that it is being done responsibly. I believe that the extensive work done by the industry and the stringent regulations developed by the federal and provincial governments meet that standard.
The BC Liberal government has already voiced its support of the Cohen Commission recommendations that would see a review of siting regulations, additional research in the Discovery Islands and a moratorium on new sites in that area; and I stand by that commitment. With good management and strong oversight, I believe aquaculture will continue to be an important part of the North Island's future.
Last week I was able to visit the Marine Harvest Canada processing plant in Port Hardy and it is clear how important a facility of that size is for the community. I've also been able to tour salmon farms and hatcheries myself and meet the people who proudly take care of their fish. It represents many jobs - good jobs - so ensuring that this sector is sustainable is important to our riding”.
Political surprise hits British Columbia
Canada: Only the staunchest optimists and supporters of the business- friendly B.C. Liberal Party would have thought that the party could win a fourth, consecutive mandate
Tips en venn Utskriftsvennlig
Odd Grydeland
Every one of the public opinion polls taken during the last two months prior to Tuesday’s provincial election predicted that the previous government would fall in favour of a significant victory for the B.C. New Democratic Party (NDP). This likely scenario did not sit well with the salmon farmers in the region, as the NDP on more than one occasion had stated its support for a mandatory, industry-wide transition to some form of yet-to-be-developed “closed containment” fish farming system. So it was with great relief that the aquaculture industry saw the Liberal party take 50 of the 85 seats in the provincial legislature, compared with only 33 for the NDP. And while the pollster community is scratching its collective head trying to figure out what went on, people in the resource-based industries are starting to figure out how to move forward with the expansion of their businesses in order to create more wealth for people in the province, and for the government to have additional revenue to spend on health care and education.
While the B.C. Liberal Party has been largely silent on the issue of salmon farming since a B.C. court decided that ocean-based aquaculture should be regulated by the federal government, one Liberal Party candidate (Nick Facey representing Vancouver Island North) expressed his position on salmon farming this way:
“Salmon aquaculture is a very important sector in British Columbia and particularly in the North Island area. It employs thousands of people, creates opportunities for First Nations communities, and creates an environment for a strong network of secondary supply businesses that keep our economy strong, growing and stable. That said, aquaculture can only be supported knowing that it is being done responsibly. I believe that the extensive work done by the industry and the stringent regulations developed by the federal and provincial governments meet that standard.
The BC Liberal government has already voiced its support of the Cohen Commission recommendations that would see a review of siting regulations, additional research in the Discovery Islands and a moratorium on new sites in that area; and I stand by that commitment. With good management and strong oversight, I believe aquaculture will continue to be an important part of the North Island's future.
Last week I was able to visit the Marine Harvest Canada processing plant in Port Hardy and it is clear how important a facility of that size is for the community. I've also been able to tour salmon farms and hatcheries myself and meet the people who proudly take care of their fish. It represents many jobs - good jobs - so ensuring that this sector is sustainable is important to our riding”.
