The new provincial fisheries minister calls the endorsement from provincial and territorial leaders for this province to gain joint management of the resource is a significant political achievement.
Gerry Byrne, a former MP, says despite numerous previous attempts to gain traction for the concept of joint management, the support from Premier Andrew Furey’s counterparts lends greater weight to the discussion.
“I want to be in this portfolio because we can make this happen,” says Byrne. “In order for this federation to function properly, in order for Canada to function properly, Newfoundland and Labrador deserves joint management. And that is why this is a brand new day.”
Byrne says the federal government “made this promise in 2015” but has yet to take action.
“So we will now use this new ammunition to go at Ottawa, because the water on the beans has changed dramatically here. This is not just one province asking for this.”