Public Service Alliance of Canada BC

Nearly All Canadians Concerned about State of Fisheries in Canada - Union of Environment Workers Calls on Federal Government to Put More Money into Fisheries Protection and Enhancement

OTTAWA (November 21) – Nearly all Canadians (97%) are concerned about protecting Canada’s natural resources including fisheries and Canadians clearly give that concern priority over two issues at the forefront of the federal government’s agenda - protecting Canada’s sovereignty over the Arctic and maintaining Canadian ownership of large corporations. Moreover, the majority of Canadians say responsibility for the protection of the fisheries belongs to the federal government and that the government should provide more funding to ensure sustainability of this resource.

• Visit ourfish.ca and send a message to the Prime Minister & your MP!

Part of a recent Leger Marketing survey of Canadians conducted on behalf of the Union of Environment Workers (UEW), a component of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), the results were released on World Fisheries Day to mark the launch of a campaign calling on the federal government to put more money and resources into the monitoring, enforcement and conservation of Canadian fisheries.

“This is obviously an issue important to Canadians and yet those on the front lines with Fisheries and Oceans don’t have the resources to protect and rebuild the stocks,” said William Pynn UEW National President. “We will not only lose a key economic sector and part of our heritage, but when you remove an activity as basic to the Canadian way of life as going fishing, there will be tremendous impact on quality of life.”

The public opinion research also revealed Canadians feel the main reason fisheries are important is their contribution to Canada’s economic well-being. Despite acknowledging the importance of the fisheries to Canada, the majority of Canadians see the fishing industry and fisheries as a declining industry.

“We are hoping this issue finally captures the Prime Minister’s interest and he decides to revisit funding for the protection of Canada’s fisheries,” said Mr. Pynn. “Without adequate funding, we may not have fish in our oceans and lakes in 50 years.”

As part of its campaign, the UEW is calling on Canadians to visit www.ourfish.ca where visitors can send an electronic post card to Prime Minister Harper with a message urging his government to provide the necessary funding to Fisheries and Oceans Canada to ensure the protection of Canada’s fisheries.

The Union of Environment Workers represents approximately 5,700 members at Environment Canada, Fisheries & Oceans and Natural Resources.

The findings referenced about are the results of a Leger Marketing survey of 1,500 adult Canadians conducted on behalf of the Union of Environment Workers (UEW) between October 2nd and October 7th, 2007. With a sample of this size, results can be considered accurate to within +/- 2.5%, 19 times out of 20.