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 NAFO Convention seriously flawed.

Ottawa, October 22, 2007

Scott Simms, MP for Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor and Liberal Fisheries Critic, today slammed the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Canada’s negotiating team for agreeing to allow Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) the possibility of foreign management and enforcement in Canadian waters. “This is an encroachment of Canada’s sovereignty and is totally unacceptable,” stated Simms.

The new NAFO Convention, if allowed by the Canadian government to come into force, will be a major setback for Canada in terms of protecting Canadian sovereignty and pursuing conservation in the northwest Atlantic. This Conservative government is expressing great concern for Canada’s sovereignty in the North, yet by agreeing to the proposed NAFO Convention, it is giving up sovereignty in Canada’s east coast fishery.

In an article published in the Telegram on August 11, 2007, Minister Hearn stated, “We will never agree to a NAFO Convention that in any way diminishes our sovereignty over the 200-nautical- mile exclusive economic zone. Canada will only accept a NAFO Convention that clearly defines that the regulatory authority of NAFO is only on the high seas.” Clearly, this is not what has happened.

I am appalled that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans would now agree to a weakening of Canada’s position with respect to Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone. Measures need to be taken by the Canadian government to reverse the current NAFO Convention as it is proposed.

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 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.

• 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. 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