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
Click here for more.

Simms calls on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans to announce a Limited Commercial/Food Fishery.

May 30, 2006, Ottawa;

Scott Simms Member of Parliament for Bonavista, Gander,Grand Falls-Windsor is calling on the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Loyola Hearn to announce a limited commercial and food fishery on the Northeast coast of Newfoundland and Labrador particularly in southern portions of 3K and 3L.

“A limited commercial fishery in the NAFO fishing zones 3KL will not impede the rebuilding of the cod stock in this area” stated Simms. I arrived at this conclusion from reviewing the scientific data presented to me by DFO science. In November of 2004 I chaired a round table discussion with fishers, the FFAW, and other industry stakeholders

as well as DFO scientists in Bonavista. At that discussion, all in attendance agreed that there was an abundance of cod showing up in Bonavista, Trinity and the southern part of Notre Dame Bays. Fishers in these areas have seen a healthy sign of cod during the past few years and that trend continues this year. Prior to the 1992 Cod Moratorium fishermen were telling DFO that the cod stock was in danger of collapse, yet DFO continued to increase the Total Allowable Catch (TAC). Now fishers are again telling DFO of their findings on the water and are once again
being ignored by DFO. If DFO ever hopes to gain the confidence of the fishers and the industry stakeholders and to implement its shared stewardship program, it has to listen to the people who have the biggest stake in the industry, the people who depend on it for their survival.

As I travel throughout my riding I am repeatedly told by fishers of the enormous amount of cod they see on a daily basis. Fishers who are struggling to make a living, particularly this year as a result of the low price of Crab, are hoping that DFO will at the very least bring forward a pilot fishery to determine the extent and health of the cod stock in this area. This small measure will ease the anxiety I detect from all those
involved in the industry over the uncertain future and downstream hardships they will have to face in the coming winter months.

Fred Cuff
Executive Assistant

Scott Simms MP
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor
Tel: 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:
• 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

• 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.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.

• 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