Canadian Fisheries Chief Blasts Colleagues Blockade, Politics Hurt Nation In Salmon Dispute, He Says

Political interference from British Columbia’s premier and a British Columbia senator is costing the provincial economy millions and setting back Canada’s case in the salmon war, federal Fisheries Minister David Anderson says.

Canada at least had the Americans talking about arbitration as a way to solve the dispute over the Pacific Salmon Treaty, but that ended after northern British Columbia fishermen blockaded an Alaska ferry and Premier Glen Clark did nothing to condemn it, Anderson said.

A federal court judge said Friday he will rule next week on whether a lawsuit can proceed against more than 200 fishermen who blockaded the ferry last summer at Prince Rupert.

Justice Marc Nadon made the statement after a one-day hearing in Vancouver.

Fishermen blockaded the ferry to protest Alaska fishermen’s catch of salmon heading to B.C. waters. Alaska launched the lawsuit as a countermeasure and wants $4.2 million in compensation.

Meanwhile musings by Sen. Pat Carney about the possibility of British Columbia separating from Canada have helped convince the Americans that Canada is divided and weak, Anderson said.

“We’ve suffered in the breaking of ranks, in not having a team Canada approach,” the minister said Friday.

Anderson was blasted by Carney, Clark and Conservative Leader Jean Charest, who complained the minister has not been doing his job.

Canada has tried to get the United States to agree to arbitration in the salmon dispute for years.

Both countries enlisted the help of a New Zealand diplomat in a failed arbitration process.