“You’re the man, John!” “You started this, John Efford, you’re our man, you’re our person.”
That was the endorsement John Efford received this afternoon outside Confederation Building as he spoke to harvesters who are seeking changes to provincial government policy that those assembled feel are limiting their options and income.
Harvester and organizer John Efford addressing the large crowd of harvesters and supporters gathered outside Confederation Building over the lunch hour. pic.twitter.com/ndEYptqu9T
— VOCM News (@VOCMNEWS) March 21, 2024
The protest by harvesters at the seat of the provincial government has been steadily building momentum, culminating with the decision yesterday to delay the budget and for last-minute changes to the way in which budget information rolls out and is broadcast to the public.
Yesterday, Premier Andrew Furey told reporters that he’s willing to hash out the issues raised, but emphasized it has to happen with FFAW leadership.
Efford referenced the province’s growing lobster fishery and the importance of getting the best price for their product. He today told harvesters selling to outside buyers is key, and he’s waiting for government’s call.
He told lobster harvesters that being able to move their product around will get the best prices “instead of a plant telling them, or a processor telling them that ‘no we’re not buying your lobsters ’til after Mother’s Day’ because the price of lobsters will drop after Mother’s Day.” Efford went on “this is part of the problem, and we’re going to fix that problem, I just got to get that call” from the Premier.
FFAW Secretary-Treasurer Jason Spingle offered his thanks to the support they’re seeing from harvesters on the west coast who are gathered outside the Sir Richard Squires Building.