Harper Cons say no blank cheque for NL



I posed the following question in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Dec. 9th, during Question Period.

Mr. Speaker,

The premier of Newfoundland and Labrador is coming to Ottawa because Conservatives are backing away from a promise they made to our province.

Conservatives committed to $280 million in compensation after they bargained away our minimum processing requirements in CETA negotiations.

They've since been trying to break that promise.

So what's the deal now?

Mr. Speaker,

The fishery fund was announced more than two years ago, with money to be spent on research and marketing.

Is the $280 million on the table for Newfoundland and Labrador — yes or no

ANSWER, Con MP Rob Moore:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government remains committed to working out the details of the Minimum Processing Requirements (MPR) fund with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. This MPR fund was to compensate for anticipated losses from the removal of the MPRs. It was never intended as s blank cheque that would give Newfoundland and Labrador an unfair advantage over other Maritime provinces. We remain open to receiving proposals from our provincial counterparts on how to implement the MPR fund.

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