Maclean's national correspondent Paul Wells has a line that is but a toss away funny in his larger piece this week on the Liberals dismissal of the Conservatives environment plans.
But for elected officials in Prince Rupert, as well as those in the North Coast fishery and the general population, the line has special resonance, for when it comes to being a man of mystery, Fisheries Minister Jonathan Wilkinson more than fits the bill.
Jonathan Wilkinson is the minister of fisheries? Who knew?
For most of the announcements on fishery issues that have come from the mysterious Fisheries Minister, the dateline is either Ottawa, or Vancouver, with Prince Rupert rarely a news breaking point on notes of the fishery of late.
Federal and BC governments now accepting proposals on restoring Pacific salmon and other fishery initiatives
Waters off Haida Gwaii one of two new critical habitat areas identified by Federal Government
Canadian Coast Guard to increase radar coverage off North Coast and Haida Gwaii
When it comes to travel, it would seem that the Federal Minister's GPS apparently spins out of control whenever coordinates for Prince Rupert are entered, making for few visits to the North Coast, if any that we know of actually.
The avoidance of Prince Rupert is a puzzling thing, what with it being a place, which last time we checked still had a somewhat of a fishing industry and might be a place worth checking out by the guy in charge of the Federal programs that impact on it.
It's not that he hasn't been invited, the Minister who was put into his post in August of 2018 has been invited in the past to come to the Northwest to hear first hand on some of the issues of the region, but to date has not booked an appearance.
Time for Federal Fisheries Minister Wilkinson to book a flight to Prince Rupert
MP Nathan Cullen turns travel agent with call for Fisheries Minister to visit Northwest
We probably shouldn't expect one soon either, with Parliament about the wrap up its work for the summer and an election in the offing for the fall, there's few opportunities now for any tour of the region.
And depending on how the Fall vote goes, Minister Wilkinson may have other duties when the votes are counted, a moment which may give North Coast residents a chance to say "Jonathan, we hardly knew ye"
For more items of note from the nations capital see our archive page.
Further background on fishery items can be found here.
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