PEI: New cabinet – new fisheries and aquaculture minister

Gustav-Erik Blaalid
Published Modified

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk The newly elected Prince Edward Island Premier, Robert, Ghiz, announced his new cabinet Tuesday. The May 28, 2007, general election resulted in a new Liberal government taking office. Premier Ghiz decided to divide the ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture in two new departments, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Mr. Ghiz named Allan Campbell to fill the job as Provincial Minister for the Fisheries and Aquaculture Department. Mr. Campbell is not afraid of hard work. According to the PEI daily newspaper The Guardian, the MLA for Souris-Elmira worked up to 19 hours a day during the provincial election campaign. He’d get up to fish at 3 a.m., returning to port before lunch. The afternoon and evening, up until 9 p.m. every day, was spent campaigning. Campbell told The Guardian that he believes his background in fisheries will help him in his new role. “I’ve been working in the fishing industry for 19 years now, and I’m very excited about working with the fishermen and with all sectors of the fishery to help maintain our fishery and make it viable into the future.” The industry is pleased that one of their own was selected to lead this department. Ed Frenette, executive director of the fishermen’s association told CBS News Online "It's quite a learning curve if you're not involved in the industry, so I'm sure Mr. Campbell will be able to do a good job." Despite his new job, Campbell plans to continue to fish until the end of the season, which ends in two weeks. He said he’ll then make arrangements to hand over his boat and gear to somebody else while he’s in cabinet. “My traps are in the water, my boat is in the water so I’m hoping to squeeze in the rest of the fishing season in the next 2 1/2 weeks.” Photo: Alanna Jankov, Alanna’s Photography, PEI Caption: The new PEI Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Hon. Alan Campbell, hopes to finish his fishing season as he’s settling into his new office.

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