January 25, 2007
No. 13
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency, and the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries
and Oceans, today announced the appointment of Loyola Sullivan as Ambassador for
Fisheries Conservation.
“The role of the Ambassador for Fisheries Conservation is pivotal to Canada’s
continued strong international presence in ensuring sustainable world fisheries,” said
Minister MacKay.
“Having someone with Loyola Sullivan's credibility join us in our fight against overfishing
is tremendous,” said Minister Hearn. “Ambassador Sullivan's efforts on the international
scene will help secure the significant gains we made when we overhauled NAFO last
fall.”
As Ambassador for Fisheries Conservation, Mr. Sullivan will represent the ministers of
Foreign Affairs and Fisheries and Oceans and will meet regularly with relevant national
and international stakeholders on matters relating to overfishing and fish stock
management. Specifically, he will advocate Canada’s international priorities for the
ongoing reform of regional fisheries management organizations, the use of improved
science and technology, and in greater flag, port and market state responsibilities. He
will also press countries to ratify and implement international instruments.
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A biographical note on the appointee is attached.
For further information, media representatives may contact:
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
613-995-1874
http://www.international.gc.ca
Phil Jenkins
Media Relations
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
613-993-5413
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca and http://www.overfishing.gc.ca
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Loyola Sullivan (BSc, Memorial University, 1971; BEd, Memorial University,1974).
Before entering the political arena, Mr. Sullivan was an owner and operator of two fish-processing operations; was the proprietor of several small businesses; and served 20
years as a high school biology, math and chemistry teacher. He entered politics at the
municipal level as mayor of Fermeuse, Newfoundland and Labrador, in 1979. He
entered provincial politics in the June 1992 by-election and was re-elected in 1993,
1996, 1999 and 2003 as the Member of the House of Assembly for the Ferryland
District. During his political career, Mr. Sullivan has served as Leader of the Official
Opposition, interim leader of the Progressive Conservative Party, Opposition House
Leader, Opposition party whip, Deputy House Leader, Chair of the Public Accounts
Committee, and critic for Health, Education, Finance, Treasury Board and
Intergovernmental Affairs. In 2003, Mr. Sullivan was sworn in as his province’s Minister
of Finance and President of Treasury Board. Most recently, he was appointed by the
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador as Government House Leader. He and his
wife, Verna, have three children: Julie, Shelley and Stefan.
