Liberals would revisit Polar Foods

A Liberal government would look again at the deal the Progressive Conservative government made in selling off P.E.I.'s lobster processing industry.

'We'd look to see if there was a monopoly.' — Liberal Leader Robert Ghiz

During a news conference on fisheries issues Tuesday, Liberal Leader Robert Ghiz noted he had called for a public inquiry in the past, but he didn't think that would be necessary right away.

"What we're going to do is allow a committee of the legislature to be able to look into the original Polar Foods deal and the bankruptcy," said Ghiz.

"We'd look to see if there was a monopoly; we'd also like to look at the contract that was signed."

The province stepped in to buy Polar Foods in 2004, just hours before its creditors were due to take over the company. It sold the assets to Ocean Choice. Polar Foods was a private company but the provincial government was heavily involved in its creation and the bankruptcy cost taxpayers $31 million.

Dedicated minister

Ghiz also outlined how his party would improve the fishing industry on P.E.I., starting with providing the fisheries with a dedicated minister. In the government of Premier Pat Binns, the portfolio was shared with agriculture.

Beside Ghiz at the Pinette wharf for the news conference was Murray River-Gaspereaux candidate Charlie McGeoghegan, a fisherman who spoke of the difficulty he and others in the industry have been facing.

"We're dealing with a problem that has been going on for four years and everybody is hanging on by their fingertips, just hoping things are going to get better," said McGeoghegan.

Ghiz said if he forms a government, low interest loans would be provided to fishermen to help them through difficult times.

"Liberals believe that a government has a duty to act quickly and decisively in the face of plummeting catches and debt loads that are forcing fishers into bankruptcy," he said.