Paul Davis wants 'immediate attention' from Justin Trudeau on key issues

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Paul Davis has written prime minister-elect Justin Trudeau, asking the incoming Liberal government take "immediate action" on five issues that once divided this province and Ottawa.

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Davis said the election results on Oct. 19 prove residents are optimistic about Trudeau's election win.

He said it's now important that Trudeau "get moving" on some key issues that came up during the long federal campaign.

I look forward to a swift reply so we can get moving on these important matters.- Paul Davis

They include the controversial LIFO policy related to the northern shrimp fishery, which requires that any cuts to quotas be felt first by late entries into the fishery.

The province has argued against this policy, saying it unfairly punishes the many smaller fishing enterprises — many of which are based in rural Newfoundland and Labrador — that geared up to take part in the shrimp harvest over the last decade or so.

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Davis is also calling on Trudeau to immediately transfer $280 million to the province, which is the federal government's share of the $400-million fisheries innovation fund.

This fund was negotiated as part of proposed trade agreement with the European Union in order to offset the impacts of removing minimum processing requirements fishery products, but talks splintered last year after the Conservative government said it will only only provided compensation for "demonstrated losses"

Resolving 'problematic' relationship

Davis is also calling for the "immediate reinstatement" of the marine rescue sub-centre in St. John's, a full clean-up of the Manolas L, which is resting on the ocean floor in Notre Dame Bay with 500 tonnes of fuel inside its rusting hull, and the waiving of $25 million in tariffs related to the purchase two new provincial ferries.

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"I look forward to a swift reply so we can get moving on these important matters," Davis wrote.

Trudeau is scheduled to become Canada's next prime minister during a ceremony on Nov. 4, at which time he will also announce his cabinet.

For the first time in many years, Newfoundland and Labrador is expected to have an MP at the cabinet table, with all seven ridings voting Liberal on Oct. 19.

Davis is encouraged by that, noting that the province's dealings with Ottawa have been "problematic" and "seriously impeded our ability to address many important issues."