Cornerstone Industries
Recommendation Cornerstone Industries (C)-1
- A
A portion of the funds allotted to the Atlantic Groundfish Strategy should be diverted to new product development. New products could be developed from underutilized species, such as mackerel or shark. A product development lab should be established at UCCB to employ a food scientist along with retrained displaced fishplant workers as assistants.
- B
Marketing research should be commissioned by the CBCEDA to find international markets for underutilized species.
- C
Fisherpeople and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans disagree on the size and vitality of local cod stocks; therefore, a test fishery should be conducted. Twenty test licenses should be granted to local fishermen to assess the stocks. This fishery should be monitored closely by DFO. Such a fishery would provide a limited number of positions for fisherpeople and processors, for a definitive period, without harming the stocks.
- D
A study should be commissioned to assess potential value-added opportunities, such as canning, vacuum-packing, etc. With the exception of fish-cutting and lobster "popsicle-packing", most processing of fishery products is done off-island. This trend should be reversed. If opportunities are considered feasible, investors should be sought out to develop these projects.
[1994] [1995]
Recommendation Cornerstone Industries (C)-2
- A
The human resource development and training of displaced fisherpeople must become more effective. There is a concern amongst fisherpeople that there is a lack of accountability for programming and instruction, and that the retraining must logically prepare participants for reemployment, not more retraining. Community groups should be consulted with respect to training and programs with instructors subject to evaluation. Entrepreneurial training should become an integral part of the program.
- B
Displaced fisherpeople could be used to collect scientific data on ocean resources. Proposals have been made to establish scientific research nodes in fishing communities and to employ displaced fisherpeople in a dockside monitoring program. This type of retraining not only provides meaningful employment in their field but could bridge the current chasm between scientists and fisherpeople.
[1994] [1995]
Recommendation Cornerstone Industries (C)-3
- A
The Corporation should complete a detailed analysis of the viability of Donkin. There should be no preconceived notions of what might constitute a viable Donkin coal operation. With the livelihood of hundreds of local families dependent upon a successful coal mining future, all production and management models should be thoroughly investigated including the possibility of private sector investment and private sector management of the site. The corporation should reach a definitive decision on the Donkin development within a year to permit for a contingency plan for the Prince employees if Donkin is not economically feasible. If the development is deemed to be viable, there is currently a sufficient block of dedicated, experienced and competent employees to form the basis of the new work force.
- B
Nova Scotia Power Incorporated has committed itself to coal generation well into the next century. The two industries are inextricably linked in this province. NSPI should commit itself to power generation through the exclusive use of Cape Breton coal. Contracts should reflect world price with a premium for reduced inventory, handling, winter transportation, etc. paid to the Cape Breton Development Corporation.
[1994] [1995]