West Van MP Calls For Meeting

[BigIron]

It appears another in the series of Town Hall style meetings has been called to discuss the halibut issue. This time however the meeting has been called by MP John Weston, rather than those promoting positive change. In a somewhat strange twist, this particular meeting only became "public" recently after the fact it was even being held was accidentally leaked. Prior to that moment, Ottawa itself was "in charge" of deciding just who would receive invitations, and clearly was working with Weston to drive the Agenda. However now that the doors have been thrown open for all, I suggest it would certainly be enlightening for those who can to attend and witness just what the next steps they have in store for the recreational sector might be.

On the surface it appears that MP Weston has chosen to side with his most prominent constituent, one Jimmy P that is. Perhaps he also believes that his entire riding agrees with that particular decision? Very likely Jimmy was on the Ottawa engineered Invitation List? And if so, will he show...?

Particulars:

WEST VANCOUVER: This Friday March 11 4pm-6pm
West Vancouver Library: 1950 Marine Drive West, Welsh Hall

FROM: SFI

HALIBUT UPDATE
West Vancouver Town Hall Meeting....

For several months now, the BC Sport Fishing Coalition has been applying political pressure on Ottawa in an effort to resolve to the current halibut allocation problem. We have been holding Town Hall meetings in cities throughout the Province and have prompted more than 2,000 angry anglers to attend and voice their concerns. Recently we requested a meeting with MP John Weston (West Vancouver, Sunshine Coast, Sea to Sky), but he never never returned any of our calls.

We have since discovered that John has scheduled his own public meeting. He has neither advertised nor posted the event, and more importantly, he scheduled it for 4PM on a Friday at the West Vancouver Library. In other words, it's an open public meeting that only a selected few have been notified of.

I can't help but feel that this meeting was booked with the intention of avoiding the recreational sector.. I have confirmed that this is a "public meeting" and all are welcome. It is vital that the recreational sector show up and voice our displeasure towards the Federal Government's Halibut Allocation policy.

I am asking you for some help. Spread the word about the meeting. Get your staff and friends involved. Let your staff go home early that day to attend. We need notify as many people as possible. In addition we need to muster as many of John's direct constituents as we can.

We do not believe that John Weston supports our views on halibut.
He is supporting the commercial sector.
He is on the fisheries committee and has major influence.

So let's get the word out. Please do what you can to exercise your right and responsibility to inform one of your elected representatives how you feel about his decision to gift your halibut to 436 lucky quota holders.

Rob Alcock,
President,
Sport Fishing Institute of British Columbia

More Information here: For Everyone's Benefit..... | Halibut Belong to Canada

Regardless of which side of the fence you sit on in this issue, or whether you have yet to make up your mind in this regard, this meeting will be eye-opening for all. I'd strongly suggest as many that can make it do so!

Cheers,
Iron

[BigIron]

Ever wonder about the commonly made claim that the commercial fleet provides access to halibut products to the vast majority of Canadian Consumers? You know, those that choose to eat in restaurants or buy that pricey stuff on the supermarket shelves, rather than fishing it themselves.

On the surface it sounds like a good argument... even though the number of ~ 70% or so is "recognized" as an export product.

Appears that number ain't quite what we have been led to believe. In fact, a survey conducted by Price Waterhouse on behalf of the PHMA suggests exports are much higher:

"Approximately 95% of Pacific halibut from British Columbia is exported with 90% being sold to the United States and the balance of that being sold to European markets."

A simple slip, or sleight of hand? Makes one wonder when it is listed on a site the PHMA openly endorses...

Pacific Halibut: BC Seafood Online

So much for providing for Canadians. Guess it simply all boils down to Profits ...

Hmmmm...

Amongst the most important meetings on this issue this far Folks! Hope a few of you can amke the time for a listen...

Cheers,
Nog

[BigIron]

The John Weston “Public” Town Hall meeting has been changed to a new location to accommodate the larger anticipated attendance.

The new location is:

West Vancouver Community Center

2121 Marine Drive

Bottom Floor – Music Room

Cheers

[BigIron]

UPDATE:

Front Page North Shore News





Overall the meeting went well.

Cheers,
Nog

[DLM]

Halibut licence leasing.
Intresting concept, maybe it will work for other licences.
I only use my drivers licence for 1 day every couple, maybe I lease it out for the days I don't need it. I only use my salt water fishing licence for a few days a year, maybe I could lease it out for the rest of the year, ditto for my hunting licence.
O.K. It won't work because the law says I'm not allowed to let somebody else use my licence.
Why is it allowed for a halibut licence?

[BigIron]

Originally Posted by DLM

Why is it allowed for a halibut licence?

Because DFO deems that the "Best & Wisest Use of the Resource"

Keeping their Fat Wallet Friends rolling in dough with their 90% plus exported product is MUCH more important than allowing the rightful owners Fair and Equitable Access after all...

Iron