Issues & Answers
Issues & Answers is NTV’s weekend public affairs program. Each Sunday, Michael Connors interviews the top newsmakers in the province. From politics to matters of public interest, Issues & Answers digs deeper to give viewers the full story. This 30-minute program can be seen each Sunday at 12:30 p.m., noon in most of Labrador.
Roadwork in Carbonear unearths mysterious structures
Roadwork in Carbonear has unearthed some mysterious structures and tunnel like, it’s unclear what they are, but there are several theories.
NTV’s Kyle Brookings explains.
Update: Pedestrian seriously injured following single-vehicle crash
A pedestrian was taken to hospital Sunday afternoon with serious injuries after being struck by a vehicle during a dramatic crash.
Emergency crews responded to the Shoppers Drug Mart on Lemarchant Road in St. John’s shortly after 3:00 p.m.. Upon arrival at the scene they discovered an SUV that had gone over the sidewalk and partially through the front window of the store.
Witnesses to the incident said that the SUV traveled across the parking lot, striking a parked vehicle before going onto the sidewalk in front of the store. A 42 year old female, who had reportedly just exited the store, was struck by the SUV as it crashed through the glass windows. The individual became trapped under the vehicle inside the store.
Firefighters used wood cribbing and air bags to lift the vehicle off the individual. It took roughly an hour to extricate them. Paramedics took the pedestrian to hospital with what were described as serious injuries. The two occupants of the SUV, including the 77 year old male driver, were uninjured in the crash. A person who was waiting in the parked vehicle that was struck was also not hurt.
The store was forced to close as crews worked, and as the scene was cleaned. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing.
The RNC requests that anyone with information to assist this investigation contact 709-729-8000, or report anonymously with Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). You can now provide information anonymously on the NL Crime Stoppers Website at www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app #SayItHere
Earlier Story:
Shoppers Drug Mart on Lemarchant Rd. is currently closed following a single-vehicle crash, and one person has been seriously injured.
An SUV went through a front window of the store, shortly after 3:00 Sunday afternoon. A pedestrian was struck by the vehicle, and became trapped underneath. They have been taken to hospital with serious injuries.
NTV News will have more details as they becomes available.
FFAW and ASP dispute each other on origins of final offer presented to crab harvesters
The FFAW and Association of Seafood Producers are disputing each other’s characterizations of a new proposal to end the crab price dispute.
The FFAW posted details of the new offer online Wednesday evening. The headline said the proposal came from the ASP. But in a statement Thursday, ASP said it did not send the proposal that is currently being discussed internally in the FFAW. The association says it will continue to follow and abide by the Standing Fish Price Setting Panel Decision.
The details of the proposal posted by the FFAW include:
- Minimum price of $2.20/lb for rest of the season
- When Urner Barry 5-8oz. Sections goes to 5.25USD, price will go to $2.25
- At 5.50USD, the price goes to $2.30
- At 5.75USD the price goes to $2.40
- At 6.00USD the price goes to $2.50
- Above $6.00USD, the Union can submit for reconsideration at the Panel
“The Bargaining Committee has done everything they can to move the price of crab from the original decision,” FFAW president Greg Pretty said. “It’s been a very difficult few weeks for our members. Enterprise owners, crew members, plant workers, dockside monitors and other fishery workers are experiencing economic strain and enormous stress due to the unknown. The important thing for all of our members to remember during this difficult time, is that without a sustainable inshore fishery, there will be no coastal Newfoundland and Labrador. The future of our coastal communities is dependent on the inshore fishery for their survival, for their economic sustainability, and for their long-term prosperity.”
But the ASP is accusing the FFAW of misleading the public.
“Yesterday, ASP was presented with an offer from the FFAW, similar to what they had submitted to the panel on March 31, 2023, an increase on the minimum price,” ASP said in a news release. “Those conversations quickly dissolved mid-day Wednesday, May 10. Later that day ASP was approached by the president and secretary-treasurer of the FFAW for a discussion and they outlined a potential solution verbally, which was agreed would be a FFAW offer to ASP.
“When the FFAW provided the details of the offer in writing to confirm, ASP clarified it was a FFAW offer for a potential solution. ASP requested clarification on why this offer was being presented as an ASP offer when it was a proposal from the FFAW. The FFAW then proceeded to issue a press release informing membership ASP had made a counteroffer. This was not true.
“If the FFAW would like to present ASP with a proposal, we are ready to listen. However, it has been demonstrated repeatedly that the FFAW do not have the authority to get a deal done to allow this fishery to start. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador deserve better. They have been misled by the FFAW and it is affecting the people of this province in a detrimental way.”
The FFAW fired back later in the day on Thursday, accusing the ASP of being disingenuous.
“After extended debate, the committee made the decision to send a revised offer, which Greg Pretty delivered to Jeff Loder,” the union said. “After a short period of time, ASP returned with the final counteroffer that was in turn presented to members for consideration. The committee attempted an additional counter, which was rejected.”
“It is disingenuous that the companies’ representative is being untruthful about the events of the past 24 hours in an attempt to turn our members against each other and the Union,” Pretty said in a statement. “Our organization has done everything possible to find a solution that will work for all parties and get a fishery going this year. It’s clear that we need immediate provincial intervention to get this situation sorted.
“Snow crab harvesters are facing an economic crisis unlike anything we’ve had since the cod moratorium thirty years ago. With everything at stake this year, we’ve been clear that an offer isn’t valid until our fleets sign off on it.”
The union says it will continue to consult with fleets and look for intervention from Premier Andrew Furey. The FFAW also says Fisheries Minister Derrick Bragg rejected the union’s request for outside buyers in lobster.
Police reopen section of TCH near Bishop’s Falls after serious collision
The RCMP have reopened a section of the Trans-Canada Highway near Bishop’s Falls.
There was a serious motor-vehicle collision involving a tractor trailer and traffic was diverted through the community. Thee incident affected traffic flow for several hours.
World record attempt cut short as man tries to cross Atlantic in one-metre boat
A record attempt at crossing the Atlantic Ocean in the world’s smallest vessel was postponed yesterday, ending almost as quickly as it began.