HiYa Folks,

John Duncan now has a section of his website designed such that people can ask a question directly to him and his team: http://johnduncanmp.com/askQuestion.aspx

In case anyone needs a suggestion or two

Does he and his Party support the present Privatization of Canada's Common Property halibut resource?

Does he and his Party believe that Canada's recreational halibut anglers should have reasonable catch opportunities over the course of their normal fishing year?

Does he and his Party believe that commercial halibut quota holders that do not personally fish halibut should be able to sell and/or lease their quota when they are no longer active participants in that fishery?

Does he and his Party support the present recreational angler's individual halibut limit of two fish be able to be taken in one day?Does he and his Party still believe this matter will simply go away?

Does he also understand that the answers to these questions will very much determine how the majority of those within the North Island Riding vote in the pending Federal Election?

Does he, or any member of his party have any financial interest in the commercial halibut fishery?

And... I am certain you can think of a few more...

Good opportunity Folks! I'd suggest we RUN with it!!

Cheers,
Nog

Couple more on the "other side" to fire off your questions to:

Randy Kamp CP Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge—Mission "Randy has been holding the Department of Fisheries and Oceans responsible for their actions on the Pacific Coast"

Oh? REALLY?? http://www.randykamp.com/contact/

Gary Lunn CP Saanich-Gulf Islands: Actively lobbied AGAINST the Recreational Sector in the Halibut Issue
http://www.garylunn.ca/contact/

Cheers,
Nog

Thanks Nog - I've fired off questions to both.

Thanks Nog
Duncan needs to go for a dunkin!
my questions....

It appears to me that you support the Privatization of Canada's Common Property, the halibut resource.
I would like you to tell me WHY you support 436 individuals the ownership of the halibut that swim off our west coast?
Why did you not attend any halibut meetings that were held in your riding? I know that there were at least 5 meetings? Why did you not attend ANY?"

NDP Response signed by:
Don Davies
Alex Atamanenko
Jean Crowder
Nathan Cullen
Libby Davies
Fin Donnelly
Peter Julian
Bill Siksay
Denise Savoy



Cheers,
Nog

Halibut Statement from North Island Candidate Ronna-Rae Leonard and MP Nathan Cullen

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 13, 2011

Time to reform halibut fishery so it’s fair to all Canadians

COURTENAY - NDP incumbent Nathan Cullen (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) and NDP candidate Ronna-Rae Leonard (Vancouver Island North) say DFO’s halibut quota system is privatizing a public resource and hurting B.C.’s coastal economy.

“We are seeing the valuable halibut fishery privatized and Canadian fishermen of all kinds are being shut out. Both commercial and sport fishermen are losing opportunities to access a public resource, in large part due to this Conservative government's policy of neglect,” said Cullen.

Increasingly, halibut quotas are being bought by private interests from outside the region and country and leased back to active commercial and recreational fishermen. Almost every pound of halibut caught commercially now has such a lease fee attached.

“For too long governments have treated our natural resources as some private stock that can be bought and sold without our knowledge or influence. That has to change,” added Leonard.

Cullen asserted that the quota system must be reformed so that more benefits go to active fishermen.

“One solution being proposed would see DFO take back quota from non-active quota holders and reallocate it to the active commercial and recreational sectors,” said Cullen. “This will give fishermen greater access to the resource, and ensure that more value stays with the people who catch the fish.”

Both Cullen and Leonard emphasized the need to maintain conservation of halibut stocks as the first priority.
“Conservation is paramount and any decisions around allocation and quota must be precautionary and based on sound science,” said Leonard.*“There must be a commitment from all sectors to effective monitoring and fish data collection.”

Numerous town hall meetings on the halibut allocation issue have been held in communities throughout B.C. Cullen has also met with representatives from both the recreational and commercial sectors.

Currently, there are 436 commercial halibut license holders in B.C., with less than half actively fishing their quotas.

“The recreational sector has been raising these issues for seven years, and they feel their concerns have been ignored by this Conservative government, which has sat on the sidelines instead of being proactive” said Cullen. “The Harper government refuses to tell Canadians who owns our country’s fish.”

Duncan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7NTDk2Eegk

Kamp: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThY8-X-rfHU

Cheers,
Nog