VIA EMAIL
September 29, 2020
The Honourable Bernadette Jordan
Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard
Bernadette.Jordan@parl.gc.ca
Dear Minister Jordan,
We are writing on behalf of our 20,000 members in the Atlantic Region. We are extremely concerned with the recent events unfolding about the Mi’kmaw lobster fishery in the community of Saulnierville, NS.
As a Nova Scotian, you see the impacts in our province. Our population is getting divided and tensions are rising because of the inaction of the federal government. Our fisheries officers, who are proud public servants and members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC), are placing themselves at risk while performing their duties and the fishermen themselves too are placing themselves at risk while fishing in this highly tensed climate.
This is a dangerous situation that could escalate very quickly. We have seen similar situations unfold such as in New Brunswick in 1999. Let’s make sure that history does not repeat itself. We urge you to act immediately in bringing the parties to the table in order to reach a settlement respectable to all. As we go down the path of truth and reconciliation, let’s remember that the Mi’kmaw have established treaty rights in Canada.
Yours truly,
Colleen Coffey Joey Dunphy
Regional Executive Vice President Director for Indigenous Members
Public Service Alliance of Canada, Atlantic Public Service Alliance of Canada, Atlantic
cc.: Danny Cavanagh, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
Anna Goguen, Regional Coordinator, PSAC, Atlantic
Atlantic Regional Council
Despite all the magic of social media, letters still pack a serious punch. A letter to the editor, to an MP, to your municipal councilor can make important inroads. PSAC members know more than almost anyone about the public services we provide, and we are best equipped to speak up and write up when these services are under attack.