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: Cuts to Seal Quota Severe

March 30, 2007
Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, in reaction to the seal quota announcement stated that he was shocked to see such a drastic cut in the quota for this year.

It was my understanding following the consultation meetings held between the sealing industry stakeholders and DFO officials in Halifax last fall that the industry would not be averse to a cut of around 30,000 animals.

The 2007 seal quota, however, amounts to 84,000 seals less than last year’s quota of 335,000. With the announced quota of 270,000 seals, which includes a carry-over from the 2006 hunt of 19,000 seals, the real quota is only 251,000.

The seal hunt in Canada is highly regulated and closely monitored, unlike the hunt for deer and wild boar in Germany, which is carried out under slack licensing controls, with no training requirements for hunters.

“I have always advocated a sustainable hunt based on sound scientific data. While no surveys have been conducted since 2004, it is inconceivable that this decision to cut the quota to this level is based on science,” said Simms

Factoring in a price reduction for seal pelts and the quota reduction, the negative economic impact to sealers is approximately $6 million.

“This drastic measure by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is more about catering to the animal rights groups than about a sustainable seal harvest”, stated 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

• 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.

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



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