NDP calls on government to include fisheries officers in new pension reforms

OTTAWA — On Tuesday, NDP Fisheries and Oceans critic Lisa Marie Barron (Nanaimo-Ladysmith), Labour critic Matthew Green (Hamilton Centre), and Mental Health and Harm Reduction critic Gord Johns (Courtenay – Alberni) wrote to the Liberals urging them to reverse their decision to exclude fisheries officers from pension reforms.

In June, the Liberals announced they would change the public service pension plan for front-line safety and security workers including firefighters, paramedics, correctional service employees, border officers, and others, so that they can retire after 25 years of service. However, they excluded fisheries officers, who are responsible for protecting fish, wildlife, and other natural resources, supporting the health of both the environment and the economy.

“Fisheries officers perform dangerous and demanding duties on the water to ensure public safety, and to manage the conservation and protection of marine ecosystems,” said Barron. “Their work often involves spending extended periods of time at sea under challenging conditions, requiring a high level of physical and mental endurance. Their role is vital to protecting Canada’s coastal communities, fisheries and wildlife, and they deserve the same recognition and support that all key front-line safety and security workers receive.”

“Excluding fishery officers from the pensions they deserve is wrong and unfair,” said Johns. “The work they do is extremely important to our coastlines and environment. But for years, they’ve seen wage disparity from other government officers, and aren’t entitled to the same pension. It’s not right.”

“The Liberals and the Conservatives are no friends to workers,” added Green. “They both have spent decades ignoring workers and now the Liberals are jilting fisheries officers when it comes to their retirement - it’s a slap in the face. Especially since the Liberals have let rich, overseas fishers off the hook for years, and are now leaving workers behind. It’s time they fix that.”