First part of an email I received.
Ron
SPORTFISHING
DEFENCE
ALLIANCE
P.O. Box 2477
CHILLIWACK, BC. V2R 1A8
Ph. (250) 378-4489
Fax. (250) 378-4489
February 9, 2007
Kamp Tries to Muddy the Waters on Bill C-45
In a press release dated February 9th out of Maple Ridge, Parliamentary Secretary to Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn, Randy Kamp put our some very questionable statements in his attack on those who oppose the governments attempt to privatize the public fishery.
Mr. Kamp says that the new Fisheries Act “does not change the public character of the fishery in Canada”. Mr. Kamp should read and understand Section 43 and then tell us the truth. If there is no intention to change the Public Character of the fishery, why a section that allows the Minister to give all or part of the fishery to selected organizations or companies?
Mr. Kamp says they are prepared to make changes if people would only put them forward but all they hear are complaints. Well the Sportfishing Defence Alliance has made it clear to Mr. Kamp and Minister Hearn that the key problem is Section 43 and if that is changed or eliminated we could work with the Bill. To date we have seen no move to change!
Mr. Kamp says that extensive consultation took place. Mr. Kamp is very badly mistaken or misled. The members or our organization participate in every kind and type of consultation process that Fisheries and Oceans holds on fisheries matters. Not one of them has been invited to nor participated in any consultation with regard to changes in the Fisheries Act in the past year and a half at least. Under the old Liberal regime, DFO did hold one session with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board regarding possible changes to the Act. At that time when asked why they were changing the Act, “the response given was that the government was trying to legalize what they were currently doing illegally”. There were no specifics given and without those it was not possible to make rational response. However, even that could not be considered even bad consultation. And the simple fact is that there has been NO, we repeat NO consultation on the Fisheries Act change with the recreational sector since the Conservatives came into power.
Mr. Kamp also says that now that the Bill is before the House DFO officials have “begun extensive briefings to get specific feedback from stakeholders”. Wrong again. Our members recently participated or listened to one of these briefings and it was made clear from the start that this was an information session only and that any input into the content of the Act would have to be done through the House of Commons.
Finally Mr. Kamp accuses those with concerns about the current proposed legislation of “using misinformation to spread fear about the Act”. Well when it comes to misinformation, Mr. Kamp should know judging by his press release. As for fear about the proposed Act, in its present form, Canadians have every right to be fearful.
Bill Otway, President , Sport Fishing Defence Alliance
P.O. Box 326 Merritt , B.C. V1K 1B8
V1K 1B8
Ron
SPORTFISHING
DEFENCE
ALLIANCE
P.O. Box 2477
CHILLIWACK, BC. V2R 1A8
Ph. (250) 378-4489
Fax. (250) 378-4489
February 9, 2007
Kamp Tries to Muddy the Waters on Bill C-45
In a press release dated February 9th out of Maple Ridge, Parliamentary Secretary to Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn, Randy Kamp put our some very questionable statements in his attack on those who oppose the governments attempt to privatize the public fishery.
Mr. Kamp says that the new Fisheries Act “does not change the public character of the fishery in Canada”. Mr. Kamp should read and understand Section 43 and then tell us the truth. If there is no intention to change the Public Character of the fishery, why a section that allows the Minister to give all or part of the fishery to selected organizations or companies?
Mr. Kamp says they are prepared to make changes if people would only put them forward but all they hear are complaints. Well the Sportfishing Defence Alliance has made it clear to Mr. Kamp and Minister Hearn that the key problem is Section 43 and if that is changed or eliminated we could work with the Bill. To date we have seen no move to change!
Mr. Kamp says that extensive consultation took place. Mr. Kamp is very badly mistaken or misled. The members or our organization participate in every kind and type of consultation process that Fisheries and Oceans holds on fisheries matters. Not one of them has been invited to nor participated in any consultation with regard to changes in the Fisheries Act in the past year and a half at least. Under the old Liberal regime, DFO did hold one session with the Sport Fishing Advisory Board regarding possible changes to the Act. At that time when asked why they were changing the Act, “the response given was that the government was trying to legalize what they were currently doing illegally”. There were no specifics given and without those it was not possible to make rational response. However, even that could not be considered even bad consultation. And the simple fact is that there has been NO, we repeat NO consultation on the Fisheries Act change with the recreational sector since the Conservatives came into power.
Mr. Kamp also says that now that the Bill is before the House DFO officials have “begun extensive briefings to get specific feedback from stakeholders”. Wrong again. Our members recently participated or listened to one of these briefings and it was made clear from the start that this was an information session only and that any input into the content of the Act would have to be done through the House of Commons.
Finally Mr. Kamp accuses those with concerns about the current proposed legislation of “using misinformation to spread fear about the Act”. Well when it comes to misinformation, Mr. Kamp should know judging by his press release. As for fear about the proposed Act, in its present form, Canadians have every right to be fearful.
Bill Otway, President , Sport Fishing Defence Alliance
P.O. Box 326 Merritt , B.C. V1K 1B8
V1K 1B8
