Fishermen get more support in fight against taxman

N.L. Liberal leader Yvonne Jones has added her support to retired fishermen fighting to get their money back from the taxman.

Some 600-800 Newfoundland and Labrador fishermen could be in to receive $25-30 million collectively from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) if it is determined that the federal tax body must return the licence buy-out money it clawed back through capital gains taxes. Fishermen were often forced to pay back over $30,000 of the money they received for retiring their groundfish licences during the late 1990s.

Jones is calling for an all-party committee from the House of Assembly to lobby the federal government to return the money.

“I believe this is a perfect opportunity to raise the profile of this issue and advocate on behalf of the affected fish harvesters,” said Jones. “Representatives from all three provincial parties should join together and lobby the federal government to show solidarity and strength on this issue.”

The fishermen are represented by St. John’s lawyer Eli Baker. Support for the cause has been growing and in early May federal Fisheries Minister Loyola Hearn met with Elizabeth Harvey, a vocal organizer for the cause, and promised to review the case.

(From the Northern Pen)