2007/06/19 2:04:14 PM:
Mr. Speaker, I am indeed proud of Jeremy Wedallas, a 12-year-old from Erin, Ontario, who recently wrote me a letter, visited my office, and was welcomed by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans as well.

He outlined his concerns about ocean ecology. Jeremy pointed out three areas of importance to him related to the preservation of our fishery: shark finning, bycatch and bottom trawling.

He stated that he was pleased that Canada had banned shark finning, where sharks were caught, the fins were cut off, and the shark was thrown....More

February 2008
Provincial Olympics Winter Games: Gambo
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Simms Says Hearn Neglecting Fishing Harbours and Infrastructure

March 27, 2007
Bonavista - Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor today called on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to inject more money in the 2007 Small Craft Harbours (SCH) budget.

In 2001, the previous Liberal government injected 100 million dollars through the Infrastructure Repair Program (IRP) for SCH to be spent over a five year period. That special funding program is due to expire at the end of this fiscal year, March 31, 2007. “That equates to a 20 million dollar a year loss out of the SCH budget”, stated Simms.

Department officials, who appeared before the Standing Committee in June 2006, stated they needed $35 million a year in order to carry out all the necessary repairs or the situation will worsen year after year if we have a 20 million dollar deficit.

“The 2007 budget did not include any new funding for the SCH program as requested by the Parliament of Canada, and that is a disgrace”, stated Simms.

Failure to reinstate the 20 million dollar shortfall and the 15 million dollar increase voted on and passed in the House of Commons will mean many priority projects currently in the system to be funded next year, will not go ahead. “That is unacceptable as many harbours in Newfoundland and Labrador and in particular my riding will fall into a state of disrepair. More importantly, replacement of dilapidated facilities required to accommodate an ever growing fishing fleet will not be built”, said Simms.


Fred Cuff
Assistant
Scott Simms MP
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
(709)468-2626

Simms calls on all MPs to support C-219

Ottawa, February 28, 2008
Scott Simms, MP for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, will vote in favour of Bill C-219, an Act to amend the Income Tax Act, which will be debated in the House of Commons today.

The proposed changes to the Income Tax Act will allow a deduction of $1000 if the taxpayer performed in the taxation year at least 100 hours More

2008 Archive:
• 02/28/08 Simms calls on all MPs to support C-219. More

• 02/14/08 IT TAKES A COUNTRY: Ken Dryden in Gander on cross-country National Anti-Poverty Tour. More

• 02/07/08 Simms calls on government to increase funding for Search and Rescue. More

• 02/05/08 Canada Summer Jobs Program announced. More


2007 Archive:
• 11/07/07 Fisheries Critics Slam NAFO Amendments. More

• 10/22/07 Simms says NAFO Convention seriously flawed. More

• 09/19/07 Simms Demands Immediate Action on Visitor Visa Requirements. More

• 06/29/07 Simms warns: Canada’s Sovereignty at Risk. More

• 05/03/07 Simms calls on all Newfoundland and Labrador MPs to support C-269. More

• 04/18/07 Simms calls for Ice Compensation Program. More

• 02/28/07 Simms puts motion before the House of Commons. More

• 03/30/07 Simms: Cuts to Seal Quota Severe. More

• 03/27/07 Simms Says Hearn Neglecting Fishing Harbours and Infrastructure.



2006 Archive:
• 11/06/06 Scott Simms Welcomes Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans to Gander. More

• 10/27/06 Scott Simms Congratulates Pope Productions on Release of the Mini-Series "Above and Beyond". More

• 10/04/06 Scott Simms Upset Over Conservative Cuts. More

• 06/06/06 Scott Simms to defend Seal Hunt. More

• 06/01/06 Scott Simms Calls for Extension of EI Pilot Project. More

• 05/30/06 Scott Simms Calls on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to announce a Limited Commercial/Food Fishery More

• 05/10/06 Scott Simms Disappointed in Cancellation of Low Income Housing Program. More

• 12/21/06 Simms calls on Hearn to put more money into Small Craft Harbours More



2005 Archive:
• 04/27/05 Scott Simms Pleased with Conservative Reversal on Youth Program. More

• 08/27/05 Commemorating the Tilting Cultural Landscape District. More

• 07/18/05 2005 Summer Career Placements Announced. More