News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Parsons highlights salmon license inequity for those without drivers' licenses

Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, says government=s new policy requirement of forcing people to show a valid government photo ID before they are issued a salmon licence is unfair to many people in the province who do not drive, are disabled or live in isolated communities.  

This year, government implemented  a new policy for people wishing to purchase salmon licences. Anyone now wanting a licence must present a valid government photo ID. For those who do not have a driver=s licence, this means paying an additional $25 fee to get this piece of identification.  

AI have received numerous complaints from people in my district who believe it is unfair that they are being forced to pay $25 for a photo ID to get a salmon licence,@ said Mr. Parsons. AFor example, a disabled individual, or an individual who lives in an isolated community such as Grand Bruit or Grey River, who does not have a driver=s licence is being forced to purchase a government ID that costs $25.  This is unacceptable and should be re-evaluated. 

AThe Minister of Environment and Conservation assured me in the House of Assembly that his department is working to resolve this issue, but this does not address the thousands of dollars that people have already paid out of their pockets to satisfy this new requirement. It is obvious that this new program was not well-thought out and that is the reason there are so many problems being encountered. Surely, if we can find provisions under the Elections Act that allow people to vote without a government photo ID, there must be a way to allow people to purchase salmon licences without having to pay an additional $25.  

AI certainly feel that this extra $25 fee is nothing more than a tax grab by government from the pockets of the average Newfoundlander and Labradorian. I feel the minister should scrap this new photo requirement until next year when government would hopefully have completed their due diligence to ensure that nobody is disadvantaged by these regulations and forced to pay extra to go salmon fishing on our rivers. I also encourage the minister to reimburse people who have been forced to pay this extra expense in order go salmon fishing. This new program was obviously rushed and the people of the province should not have to suffer because of government=s lack of due diligence.@El

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477