NDP's Nathan Cullen vows to protect North Coast fishing industry

The topic of the North Coast fishery was introduced  into the Federal election campaign over the weekend with NDP candidate and incumbent MP Nathan Cullen highlighting his commitment to the fishing industry.

Speaking at the Canadian Fishing Company plant on Bill Murray Way, Cullen and UFAWU representative and city councillor Joy Thorkelson spoke to the issues facing the north coast fishery, with the NDP candidate outlining the details of new regulations that the NDP would bring forward to Parliament to keep value added fishing jobs in the North Coast and other Canadian fishing communities.

Among some of the issues that the incumbent MP and candidate for re-election says an NDP government would address are:

A requirement that fishing corporations process fish in the area that it is caught, bring an end to the export of roe and fish to other countries, as well as a number of issues related to Employment Insurance for those that work in the fishing industry on the coast.

"For a decade, the Conservative government under Stephen Harper has ignored the realities of our wild fishery on the west coast and pursued policies that hang fishermen and seasonal workers out to dry,"  ... "Instead of working against fishermen and the environment, we need a government that works with communities and First Nations, protects habitat, and keeps value-added jobs here at home." -- Nathan Cullen on the fishing industry on Saturday in Prince Rupert

Prince Rupert's Canadian Fish processing plant was 
the backdrop for Nathan Cullen and a 
campaign announcement related to
the fishing industry in the region

Ms. Thorkelson who represents the unionized fish workers on the North Coast, welcomed Cullen's comments and commitment to the fish industry, signalling UFAWU's desire to see fishery issues receive more attention from the nation's capital.

"It's long past time Canada had a federal government who will work with us instead of against us, and help this important sector of our economy and part of our culture remain resilient. We're proud to have Nathan on our side"

The full overview of Saturday's event can be examined here.

More items of interest on the Fishing industry on the North Coast can be reviewed here.

For more background on the course of the 2015 election campaign in the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding see our archive page here.