Furey insists budget will be delivered
Protesting fish harvesters say otherwise, despite injunction
The provincial budget was slated to be delivered on Wednesday, but protesting fish harvesters blocked the entrances to the Confederation Building, effectively forcing an unprecedented delay of presentation of the budget in the House of Assembly.
“Something happened today that has never happened before in the history of Newfoundland. The budget was cancelled,” said protest organizer John Efford.
“And it will be tomorrow, and the next day!” shouted a harvester in the crowd.
“And I got a funny feeling that it may be cancelled again tomorrow,” Efford agreed, to applause from the harvesters, and he said it will be cancelled the next business day and the next.
“Until we get what?” Efford asked the crowd.
“Free enterprise!” they shouted in unison.
On Wednesday afternoon, Premier Andrew Furey said it is the government’s intention to proceed with the budget at the first available time when it is safe to do so.
“Hopefully, for the benefit of all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, that is (Thursday),” he said.
HARVESTER, POLICE OFFICER INJURED
The harvesters prevented public servants from entering the building all morning.
Shortly after 11 a.m., the Department of Finance issued a news release stating presentation of the budget was delayed “due to an unsafe environment in which fish harvesters are preventing public service employees from entering the Confederation Building Complex.”
“Presently, the conditions are unsafe for employees and visitors to the complex, and there is a threat of violence,” the department stated.
While harvesters were blocking the entrances, Saltwire observed a mostly peaceful assembly throughout much of the morning. However, there were at times tense physical clashes that resulted in at least three known injuries, as well as verbal confrontations that included shouting and cursing.
The Fish, Food and Allied Workers (FFAW) union confirmed one harvester was injured with a possible broken hip. Another harvester told reporters that a horse with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary’s (RNC) mounted unit stepped on his foot.
The RNC confirmed one officer was injured and taken to hospital for treatment, and two RNC horses in the mounted unit were struck by protesters. The RNC said in a statement there are specific Criminal Code violations for injuries against a law enforcement animal that will be pursued.
Furey said several public servants felt threatened and intimidated, and there was verbal abuse of public servants.
‘I AM PROFOUNDLY DISAPPOINTED’: FUREY
By 11:30 a.m. provincial government lawyers were at Newfoundland and Labrador Supreme Court seeking an injunction to prevent protesters from blocking entrances or intimidating public servants, which a judge granted.
Harvesters told Saltwire they plan to continue their demonstration on Thursday despite the injunction.
At 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, the government held a news conference.
Premier Andrew Furey, Fisheries Minister Elvis Loveless and Justice Minister John Hogan spoke with reporters at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre.
“I am profoundly disappointed today that the behaviour of a few could take over and jeopardize a budget that is for the entire province,” Furey said.
“While I know and appreciate fully that anxieties and emotions run high in the fishery this time of year, and how important the fishery is to Newfoundland and Labrador, and that there are so many hard-working women and men in that industry that we want to be here to support and to continue to work with, and they have entirely the democratic right to peaceful protest, and that is something that we encourage, and as leaders we should all encourage the democratic process, what is unacceptable is violent protests,” Furey said.
‘THIS BUDGET WILL BE READ’
“Some of the behaviours we saw today will not be tolerated by me or our government,” Furey said. “We have a budget to deliver, one that is important for 530,000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, one that delivers on promises of health care, infrastructure, education, roads, fishery, and much, much more, community groups waiting to hear if they have their funding available. So, we intend to go ahead with this budget. It will be implemented.”
Saltwire asked Furey about the government’s plan if presentation of the budget is delayed again Thursday.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it, but let me be crystal clear: this budget will be read,” he said.
PCS, NDP BLAME LIBERALS
Progressive Conservative Leader Tony Wakeham stated in a news release he was outraged that Furey allowed the crisis to reach a breaking point for a second year.
The news release said Wakeham demanded last week that Furey “step up from the sidelines to resolve the crisis,” but instead “the Furey Liberals quickly closed the legislature after being embarrassed by questions from Wakeham about their negligence in fisheries management.”
Wakeham said if he were premier the situation would have never gotten this far.
The entire NDP caucus spoke with harvesters at the demonstration on Wednesday.
NDP Leader Jim Dinn said the fishery is a cornerstone of the province, and the workers have been ignored by the Liberal government.
“Once again we find government scrambling to regain control of the situation,” Dinn stated in a news release.
“This crisis has reached a boiling point. It should have never gotten this far. Government needs to get back to the table and find a resolution that ensures fish harvesters get paid fairly for their product, and fish plant workers continue to have good-paying jobs to keep rural communities alive.
“Instead of threatening confrontation, do what we and others have been suggesting: engage in meaningful dialogue to address issues. It is hard to talk to people, but it is the best way to achieve meaningful solutions,” Dinn stated.
GOVERNMENT HAS MET ALL REQUESTS: LOVELESS
Loveless said the government has had good discussions with the harvesters.
“We’ve met, I would say, all of their requests,” Loveless said.
He said the province moved on allowing outside buyers, and would address capacity issues.
“I want to stress: we want to do it responsibly because the whole of the industry doesn’t just include a select few, and we want to recognize that.”
Loveless said he wants to ensure fish plant workers are protected as well.
“So, on that premise we’ll continue to have discussions with the FFAW. We’ve also talked about a fulsome review (of the fishery), and we’ve asked for their direct input into that review, and I look forward to those ongoing discussions,” he said.