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.

The Government of Canada commemorates the Tilting Cultural Landscape District

August 27, 2005, Tilting, Fogo Island, NL;

On behalf of the Honourable Stéphane Dion, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Mr. Scott Simms, MP for Bonavista–Gander–Grand Falls–Windsor, today unveiled a Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque commemorating the national historic significance of the Tilting cultural landscape district on Fogo Island, Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Tilting’s historic houses and outbuildings, gardens, winter and summer paths, and cod trap berths along the coast have made it a rare surviving example of a Newfoundland outport community that depended on the inshore fishery,” said Minister Dion. “Although Tilting no longer relies on cod fishing for its livelihood, its community spirit, traditional structures and way of life continue to exist.”

Permanent Irish settlement began in Tilting during the mid-eighteenth century. Once a thriving outport, the community’s population has fluctuated according to the success of the cod fishery. During the twentieth century, Tilting continued to evolve, through an increasing reliance on other fish species and a range of influences from the outside world, including roads, new housing styles and new fish production methods. Throughout this evolution, however, its cultural landscape has been retained.

“Twentieth century influences have not obscured the traditional family neighbourhoods that developed near Tilting’s harbour, or the community’s garden layouts and the historic interrelationship of the buildings and spaces associated with its inshore fishery,” said Mr. Simms. “Tilting’s residents remain proud of their Irish heritage, and like the rest of Fogo Island, the community is defined by its shared memories, kinship, genealogy, and climate.”

Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of the Environment about the national historic significance of places, persons and events that have marked Canada’s history. The placement of a commemorative plaque represents an official recognition of their historic value. It is one means of educating the public about the richness of our cultural heritage, which must be preserved for present and future generations.

Brigitte Caron
Press Secretary Office of the Minister of the Environment
Tel: 819-997-1441

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.

• 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.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.

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