The Canadian Press
A new report raises alarms about whether a Canada-Europe free trade deal would wipe out rules that protect Atlantic fishery jobs.
The report released by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives says restrictions that limit corporate dominance of the fishery are at risk.
Author Scott Sinclair includes leaked details from the ongoing trade talks that suggest Canada is being pressured to scrap minimum fish processing requirements.
Those rules are meant to protect local fish plant jobs and were the focus of a long dispute between the Newfoundland and Labrador government and Ocean Choice International.
The province and OCI reached a deal last month allowing the company to send most of its yellowtail flounder catch overseas, unprocessed.
The rest will be handled at a plant in the province, creating 110 full-time jobs.
Sinclair says scrapping minimum processing requirements would strip provinces of leverage in future disputes.
Federal Fisheries Minister Keith Ashfield has denied that owner-operator or fleet separation policies are in jeopardy.
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
