Finance committee  Thank you. We look forward to an announcement soon.

Finance committee  Thank you. That's a very good point. A large number of our owner-operator enterprises do have CEBA loans. These individuals were very disappointed with the recent announcement by the federal government, which provided only a few weeks' extension on the loan repayment. These ente

Finance committee  The pilot project would go a long way toward helping people right now, but what we're faced with in the current EI crisis.... A lot of people don't realize that here in Newfoundland and Labrador fish harvesters have a completely separate EI program from other seasonal workers. It

Finance committee  Yes. I think there's a disconnect between Ottawa and the reality here in Newfoundland and Labrador. I think the new minister in DFO has shown more of a willingness to work with our members and to recognize the economic benefits that come from important fish like mackerel. We have

Finance committee  I don't know if it funds them directly, but I think they do receive some funding for certain initiatives.

Finance committee  You make some really important points. On the mobile survey, this fall is the first year it's gone ahead in the last several years. For instance, with snow crab, increases to quota were based only on harvester-led science initiatives, because there was no data available from the

Finance committee  Mackerel in particular is a really sore spot for our members. The fishery has been under a moratorium now for two years. DFO science claims that the stock is in trouble, but we have an enormous amount of evidence that shows that the spawning stock biomass has simply migrated. We

Finance committee  I'm sorry. I know I talk really fast.

Finance committee  Yes. I'm sorry. First, it's important to explain what the fishery means to our province and to our coastal communities. Outside the Avalon region, the fishery is what fuels this province. When people think about Newfoundland and Labrador or consider visiting our province as a wo

Finance committee  Thank you. Thank you to the committee members for taking the time to hear from the Fish, Food and Allied Workers union today as we ask you to make the owner-operator fishery a priority in the 2024 federal budget. As you may or may not already know, our union is the largest pri