Two Conservative MPs from Newfoundland and Labrador stood in the House of Commons on Thursday to accuse the federal government of downplaying the idea of a French snow crab fishery emerging in the waters off Newfoundland.
It kicked off a fiery exchange with Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson, also MP for St. John’s East, who accused Conservative MPs Jonathan Rowe and Clifford Small of playing politics.
Conservatives later called a Point of Order, with Manitoba MP Ted Falk saying that in her response the minister “gave the member the bird, or at least somebody on this side.”
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Thompson’s middle finger was up at one point during her comments in a response to Thompson. She said it was “just a hand movement” while speaking and not meant as offensive.
Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia said the tape will be reviewed and it will come back to the House “if necessary.”
It all follows a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to St-Pierre-Miquelon, a French-owned archipelago off the southeast coast of Newfoundland. According to reports from franceinfo and Radio-Canada, Macron had pledged to grant an exploratory snow crab licence.
No licence has been awarded.
Any such award would first require formal discussions between the countries and, as the CBC has reported, Thompson says no such discussions have taken place.
Rowe, MP for the riding known as Eastern Peninsulas, raised the subject in Question Period.
“Mr. Speaker, two weeks ago I got up here and sounded the alarm on the France crab grab and these Liberals tried to dismiss it as fearmongering, and once they started to realize that this was a $60-million issue, all the minister did was say that she was disappointed in France’s intent,” he said, adding people want the federal government to do more than be disappointed.
Minister accused of giving middle finger to Opposition
He called on Prime Minister Mark Carney to stand and condemn the idea.
Thompson reiterated no licence was issued.
Conservative MP for Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame followed with more.
“Will the prime minister stand today with our fishing industry and stop this giveaway, or has he already sold it out to foreign interests?” he asked.
In her response, Thompson said it was “a long time” since the House had heard from Small, to general sounds of support from the Liberal members seated around her.
“But let me also remind him that we’re facing a time in our country when we need to come together,” she said. “Newfoundlanders and Laboratorians understand this. The constituents in his riding understand this. It is a shame that he still has to play cheap politics.”
Small said crab fishermen and plant workers in Newfoundland and Labrador wouldn’t be amused by Thompson’s response.
Thompson fired back, saying she has “very strong relationships” with people working in the fisheries.
“And I certainly don’t need lessons on how to speak with people from this member,” she said, adding political rhetoric isn’t helping anyone.
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