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Problems still exist with salmon licence registration policy June 18, 2007 Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo-Lapoile, says the Minister of Environment and Conservation must address the problematic issue surrounding the new policy for the issuance of salmon licences in the province. 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. It also means traveling to an office of motor registration to have a picture taken, a difficulty for residents of rural Newfoundland and Labrador where these offices could be a great distance away. "I raised this issue several times in the House of Assembly," said Mr. Parsons. "The minister assured me that the government photo ID requirement for family salmon licences was rectified. This meant that children would not have to purchase a $25 government photo ID before being permitted to fish. While the minister says this requirement has been removed, there are still a number of individuals and vendors unaware that this identification system is no longer necessary. I encourage the minister to take actions to advise the public of these policy changes so that the people of the province know exactly what steps must be taken to purchase a salmon licence. "I am also waiting for the minister to address the situation facing adults who do not have driver’s licences. Over the weekend, I received calls from people not happy that they will have to pay $25 to get the appropriate government photo ID. One senior who lives in Burgeo is being forced to travel to Corner Brook to get this piece of identification before being permitted to obtain a salmon licence. "Government clearly did not think out these new salmon licence policy requirements before implementing them for this fishing season. Something must be done immediately to advise the general public of the policy changes for a family licence, and steps must be taken to address the inequity of forcing people to pay $25 for a government photo ID. In most instances, disabled individuals, seniors and people living in isolated communities are the most impacted because they do not have driver’s licences. If the minister is planning to act, I suggest he take action now before it gets too late into the salmon fishing season."
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