Surf clam decision has Merv Wiseman rattling inside his Liberal shell

Criticizing the very governmenthe wants to join in the House of Commons is a risky move for Merv Wiseman, but he doesn't seem to care.

"Am I taking a risk? Well, yeah, maybe," Wisemansaid."But I have to stand on certain principles."

Liberal decision 'fundamentally wrong'

Wiseman issued a news release this week condemning a proposal by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals to shake up the surf clam quota allocation, one that Wisemansuggests could mean economic hardship for the Grand Bank area.

Wisemanargues that taking25 per cent of the quota away from Clearwater Seafoods, which operates a year-round processing plant in Grand Bank, and reallocating it to a yet-to-be-determined Indigenous group is the wrong thing to do.

He said it contradicts the Liberal Party's commitment to the principle of adjacency, andhe's not mincing his words.

"I am against it," Wisemantold CBC News Thursday.

"Against this kind of a backdrop, when will they look at, say Beothic[Fish Processors]or Golden Shell [Fisheries Ltd.]and say, 'Hey look, we need to take some of your quota because we have to make amends for some transgression that we made.'"

He added that the decision comes at a "weak moment" for the federal riding ofBonavista-Burin-Trinty because it does not have a representative in Parliament.

Grand Bank Mayor Rex Matthews has led opposition to the proposed changes, and Wisemanis not satisfied with that.

• 'We were blindsided': Grand Bank mayor anticipating job losses in wake of major arctic surf clam changes

"We need solidarity against this move. I challenge everyone to come out and speak and support the mayor on this," Wiseman said, addingthat the surf clam fishery creates 400 land and sea-based jobs on the Burin Peninsula.

Willing to take the risk of speaking out

Those are harsh words from a man who's fighting to win the Liberal nomination in Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, a seat that was vacated withthe resignation of longtime MP Judy Foote, who was an influential member of Trudeau'scabinet and highly regarded in the region.

If it means that I'm not elected, well then I guess that's the price I have to pay.- MervWiseman

Is it the type of criticism that could make the federal Liberals think twice about having Wiseman on their team?

Wisemansaid it's possible, but he's willing to take the risk.

"I can't capitulate on these principles. And if that means that I don't get green-lit, if it means that I'm not elected, well then I guess that's the price I have to pay," he said.

Wisemanhas never been shy about voicing his opinion, even if it contradicts those of the same political stripe.

He's also butted heads with provincial Liberals over environmental concerns related to a massive sea-cageaquaculture project proposed for Placentia Bay.

Wisemansupports land-based aquaculture, and said he will lobby for a large pilot project for the Marystown area if elected.

• Judge orders further environmental assessment of proposed Placentia Bay fish farm

• Another Foote in the House of Commons? Marystown Mountie wants Judy Foote's job