Federal Tariff Relief ‘Won’t Cut It’ for Fishing Industry, Says Premier

The premier says there’s “more work that needs to be done” to help support the province’s fishing industry in the wake of Chinese tariffs.

Premier Tony Wakeham’s comments come on the heels of the passing of the federal budget, which called for $80-million for tariff relief between all four Atlantic provinces.

Wakeham says the fishing industry sends nearly $300-million to China in fish exports, equating to nearly $65-million.

He says a slice of $80-million simply won’t cut it.

“Right now the Chinese tariffs are having the largest impact on our fishing industry and the potential to have a significant impact,” he told reporters this week.

“When you think the announcement in the budget, the federal budget talked about an $80-million fund to help offset some of the costs or the expenses or