Byrne claims moral victory on NAFO proposals

Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte MP Gerry Byrne says the House of Commons' Standing Committee on Fisheries scored a moral victory Tuesday in favour of the Newfoundland fishery.

The committee, of which Byrne is a member, voted late Tuesday in favour of a motion tabled by Mr. Byrne against proposed controversial Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) amendments, including a change to NAFO's voting system that's feared to make it difficult for Canada to gain support for conservation decisions and a proposal that would compromise Canada's sovereignty over its 200-mile exclusive economic zone.

The Liberal MP said his motion to condemn the amendments was passed with a six-to-five vote, including support from Liberal, Bloc Quebecois and NDP members on the standing committee.

He said the decision of the committee will be tabled in the House of Commons and the amendments themselves would be tabled last week, with a final vote taking place in the House by Nov. 24.

Mr. Byrne said if the committee vote is any indication, the amendments could be voted down in the House of Commons next week, but that vote is still not binding on government. The federal cabinet can decide against the House vote.

"At least we've got a moral victory here," Mr. Byrne said, considering the vote of the standing committee is now a recorded vote on the NAFO treaty.