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.

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OTTAWA – The Harper government, having finally figured out that being seen to be “green” could translate into votes, is in the process of sacrificing other vital Environment Canada programs in a misguided attempt to focus almost exclusively on climate change.

The Public Service Alliance of Canada’s Union of Environment Workers (PSAC/UEW) takes strong exception to Environment Minister John Baird’s claims that no programs have been cut and that spending is just being prioritized for climate change initiatives.

“Program budgets that are being slashed by 50 to 100 percent are cuts,” says UEW National President Bill Pynn, “regardless of what the government may claim.”

“The government’s decision to cut programs not related to climate change demonstrates their lack of a comprehensive plan for sustaining and protecting our environment and their abysmal lack of understanding of the important work Environment Canada performs,” says Pynn. “It is also one more move by the Harper government to reduce if not eliminate the federal government’s responsibility to provide necessary public services at the national level.”

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(VANCOUVER) The federal government needs to address the fish habitat protection crisis, demonstrate the will to protect the environment and allow public service professionals to do their jobs.

The funding and management crisis currently paralyzing the Department of Fisheries and Oceans was detailed at a joint press conference held today by the David Suzuki Foundation and the federal Union of Environment Workers.

“We have dedicated members who are being prevented from doing their job of protecting and enhancing Canada’s fish stocks and environment,” said Nick Humphreys, Regional Vice-President, BC/Yukon, Union of Environment Workers.

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