Fish workers burn Canadian flag in Newfoundland protest

CBC ^ | Mon Apr 28 19:08:34 2003

[Int]

Fish workers burn Canadian flag in Nfld. protest

Last Updated Mon Apr 28 19:08:34 2003

ST. JOHN'S-- Angry fish workers burned a Canadian flag on Monday as rallies were held at federal Fisheries Department offices in at least two centres in Newfoundland and Labrador.

• INDEPTH: The codless sea
  

The protest, organized by the Fish, Food and Allied Workers, brought about 75 people to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans offices at Clarenville, where they took down the Canadian flag and burned it.

They sent the Newfoundland and Labrador flag up the mast to replace it.

The protesters say they're reclaiming the fishery from Ottawa.

Fisheries Minister Robert Thibault announced last Thursday that the already much diminished cod fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Maritime provinces and Quebec would be shut down.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Roger Grimes is meeting with federal politicians in Ottawa on Monday. He says federal officials don't understand how the closure will affect the region.

• FROM APRIL 24, 2003: Ottawa closes East Coast cod fishery
  

"We're asking them to take one more look, because we think they've made a grievous mistake," Grimes told CBC Newsworld on Monday.

The protesters say they aren't interested in Ottawa revisiting its decision. "It's time for us to control the fishery and the resources around this province," one said.

DFO staff weren't at the offices when the demonstration began.

At the DFO offices in Corner Brook, protesters said they were hoping to close federal offices throughout the region.

Kevin Hardy, a fisherman and the mayor of Burnt Islands, says the department has shut the fishery, so the workers plan to shut the office.

[jwh_Denver]

Newfoundland's "Fish Party"? Rebel against the Canadian Frogs!

[Tacis]

Name me one Canadian who would give a big rats a$$ if you burned a Canadian flag! They're fricken Canadians!! All they care about is dissing the US. They made up a flag a couple of years ago and if you want to burn it or polish your car with it, it is OK by them.

[Nagual]

Hey did you hear how the first Newfie got to Totonto?

They were playing Hockey on the St Lawerence and one of them got a break-away.

[MrFred]

[Mercat]

Reading Shipping News right. Good book... takes place in Newfoundland.

[herkbird]

Many years ago during an Atlanta Braves-Toronto Bluejays baseball playoff game, maybe the world series. The USA Marine Color Guard was marching the Canadian flag around upside down. I remember the Canadians became rather disturbed by this simple mistake.