Fish harvesters get $469M grant
OTTAWA — Canadian fish harvesters welcomed the announcement on Thursday of $469 million in federal support for the sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying they’re watching closely for clarity as fishing seasons open across the country.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the programs in Ottawa, acknowledging the financial pinch and safety concerns harvesters are facing.
“You can’t harvest lobster from inside your house, so that leaves you trying to figure out how to either space people out on a fishing boat or cancel your operations. It’s not an easy call to make,” Trudeau said.
He pointed to decreasing prices and reduced demand for products that have put pressure on harvesters and their families.
“This adds up to a really tough time, so I want you to know that we’re listening,” the prime minister said.
The new aid comes in the form of an industry-specific benefit and a grant.
The Fish Harvester Benefit, structured similarly to the previously announced federal wage subsidy, offers income support covering 75 per cent of losses for harvesters who see their income drop by at least 25 per cent this year. The program will provide a maximum individual amount of $847 per week for up to 12 weeks — the same as the existing wage subsidy program.
The Fish Harvester Grant is a sector-specific grant similar to the Canada Emergency Business Account, offering up to $10,000 of non-repayable support to selfemployed harvesters.
Trudeau addressed concerns among harvesters who might not generate enough income to file a valid employment insurance claim for next year.
He said proposed measures would allow self-employed harvesters to access benefits based on insurable earnings from previous years.
Federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan said the fishing sectors, which drive the economies in many coastal and rural communities, face unique challenges. “With this announcement, we are ensuring that Canada’s hardworking fish harvesters get the support they need now and into the future,” she said.
The relief measures come amid mounting concerns about support from Ottawa as fish harvesters prepared to head out on the water this spring. Crab harvester Jason Sullivan said the announcement addressed his biggest concern about employment insurance for his crew, though he was waiting on the fine print on issues such as whether the funding will be dispersed to individuals or enterprises. “Right now, it seems to be pretty good,” Sullivan said from Bay Bulls, N.L. “It’s something the industry needed. It needed help.”
Volatility with prices and demand were already challenging the industry, Sullivan said, and the pandemic has highlighted the fragility in the sector.
Tony Doyle of Bay de Verde, N.L., who fishes lobster, crab and other fish in Conception Bay, said the measures seem likely help a lot of people during a difficult year, though he’s hoping to see the finer details about applying to the programs as soon as possible.