Terms of Reference

Purpose

The mandate of the External Advisory Board will be to act as an advisory body to the AFPR working group. It will not be expected to be a decision-making body nor will it be expected to operate by consensus. Its purpose will be to act as a sounding board for ideas, to provide comments or feedback on the discussion document (and, eventually, the policy framework itself), and to provide advice on the process of the review.

Board Meetings

It is anticipated that the Board will meet a couple of times during the first phase of the policy review exercise (expected to be completed by spring 2000). The Board meetings will be closed to the public and discussions during the sessions will be private.

Membership

Membership on the Board will be limited to about 20 people (not including ex officio members). Membership on the Board reflects the diversity of those with an interest and a role to play in the East Coast fishery (commercial and recreational fisheries, processors, aquaculture and environmental interests). In addition, there will be representation from the Aboriginal community including northern interests and some "impartial" candidates who are very knowledgeable about fisheries issues.

Provincial Participation

One Provincial Government representative from each Atlantic Province (Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick), Quebec, and one Territorial Government representative from Nunavut will serve as ex officio members of the Board.

Costs

Members of the External Advisory Board will not be paid a per diem or stipend, but will be reimbursed for expenses in accordance with Treasury Board guidelines. Ex officio members are responsible for their own costs.