DFO to chop 400 positions in second round of cuts

Federal Fisheries and Oceans employees and the Canadian Coast Guard have been hit with its second round of cuts in six months.

The department confirmed today that it will cut 400 positions across the country, part of a plan to save $79.3 million from the department and the Coast Guard.

Department spokeswoman Erin Filliter, from federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield’s office, told The Telegram this afternoon employees were informed today that their positions may be affected.

“The department informed employees across the country today about some changes that are happening in the department to save Canadians $79.3 million, and as a result there are changes to the structure and organization of the department across the country,” she said.

Filliter said she couldn’t provide a regional breakdown of where positions are being cut, but said they are “proportional across the country,” adding that a worker receiving a notice that his or her job is affected may not necessarily be out of work but could be moved to another position within the department.

The latest round of cuts follows a similar amount announced in December.

dmaceachern@thetelegram.com, Twitter: TelegramDaniel

Fred Penner: - May 23, 2012 at 12:14:04

We should secede from Canada and seek union with the Americans.

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John Hickey: - May 18, 2012 at 09:41:54

I agree with Duggan, but most importantly, why isn't anyone showing some delight in seeing fewer DFO officials in the province.. Hell, if it were up to me the DFO would be booted out of NL in favor of a provincially-created group that would oversee the fishery. They don't need DFO, period.. As for how they do their jobs, that in itself is a joke. They have the cushiest jobs in the country and their intrusiveness could be done without, frankly. I've had the displeasure of encountering them when buying fish from fishermen on the shore when they bring in their catch. These ignorami come into your cabin or search your vehicle and, in the case of lobster, measure your purchase and count it. Once I've bought fish, they're mine and DFO has no right to harrass me. Let 'em harrass the fishermen, I'm just a consumer. On top of that, there's hardly a river or stream left in the province that they haven't designated as a salmon stream and put a stop to trout angling. All the DFO has done is destroy what we had in NL and turned it into one restriction after another. We could do much better without them. Make them get real jobs and do some real work...

Webster: - May 18, 2012 at 08:08:23

We should be stimulating our economy not weakening it. Because of these major cuts to critical services, we will be in a recession. We are a rich country, so why is Ottawa destroying our basic needs and confidence to move forward?

Susan: - May 18, 2012 at 07:44:49

Can't say i am surprised! Maybe we would have had a better chance to keep it open if we had elected a few more Cons MP's. Hey...you can get more with honey than vinegar! Maybe Fabian could have helped here,lets see what Scott Andrews and Gerry Byrne can do besides flap their gums. It certainly would have been worth a shot!

McLovin

- May 18, 2012 at 08:32:44

Yeah because the honey approach Dunderdale is preaching is really working out for us....and are you actually justifying these cuts on account that we never sent any Con MPs to Ottawa? What about the broken promise for 5Wing Goose Bay smack in the middle of Mr. Penashue's district? Care to explain that one?

Randy: - May 17, 2012 at 22:30:45

Write another letter Kathy- It's all your good for

george p b: - May 17, 2012 at 18:59:54

Newfoundland & Labrador get screwed again.....

patrick: - May 17, 2012 at 17:46:56

just another nail in the newfoundland coffin from harper

freeman: - May 17, 2012 at 17:29:34

Gorge W.Harper is at it again.He stated during his election run how he was going to cut fat from Government??With all the food recalls we have had lately,What is his answer?he lays off 19 food inspectors.Our wild life is declining in an alarming rate,Fish stocks have not recovered.but he still feels he needs to cut spending.400 now gone at CFO.But yet he says we need to get Canadians back to work.Working were?doing what.Maybe jobs will spring up at one of Canada's many new funded privately run prisons(what we need more of)Not to mention we have boat loads of refugees trying to sneak into Canada.Makes all the more sense to lay off the very people who watch our borders from the out side in.Wake up Harper and start doing things for us instead of for your best interest....Ya crook ya. Any one know when is he going to make being poor illegal.That will truly be his finest hour.sic

calvin: - May 17, 2012 at 17:19:42

Thank you Mr. Harper for your usual kindness to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Duggan: - May 17, 2012 at 17:03:56

Let's be honest, truthful and sincere when we answer this question: What has DFO International division ever done for Newfoundland and Labrador?

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DFO to chop 400 positions in second round of cuts

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