A class action lawsuit has been filed against the provincial ministry for allegedly using public resources to pay for fisheries management. The lawsuit was filed in British Columbia Supreme Court on behalf of holders of halibut licenses and claims that between 2001 and 2006 the ministry allowed the Pacific Halibut Management Association of BC to withhold 10 per cent of halibut fishermen's quota. By paying an additional levy, fishermen could then purchase that 10 per cent back from the association.
The lawsuit claims the halibut association paid the government more than $800,000 of the fishermen's money and used another $400,000 of the quota money for fisheries management activities. It alleges the minister appropriated public resources that did not belong to him to finance fisheries management and levied a tax unauthorized by Parliament.
