Province willing to expand help after Bay de Verde fire, but hasn't been asked: Eddie Joyce

The Liberal government is firing back at criticism that it hasn't provided enough support for workers affected by the devastating fire in April that burned the Bay de Verde fishplantto the ground.

Mayor Gerard Murphy toldCBC Radio's On the Gothat the province has been silent on his request for an income supplement for displaced workers.

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"There's no program available in government for that, and the mayor was aware of that," Eddie Joyce, minister of Municipal Affairs as well as Fire and Emergency Services, told CBC News Monday.

Joyce said the mayor's request was made at a meetingbetweenthe province and the community shortly after the blaze, and while the government could notallotfunding for a program that doesn't exist, it would follow up with different forms of assistance.

"I'm still open to run out and have a meeting with the mayor, on anything we can do on our part," said Joyce, adding the town has not reached out to him since.

"Ithink it's time for all of us to try to ensure that we all work together and work on the same page."

The Quinlan Brothersfish plant employed more than 700 workers at the peak of its processing season, although many of those displaced from Bay de Verde are working at the company's other facilities.

EI help en route

According to Joyce, one of those programs on offer to Bay de Verde is the Community Enhancement Employment Program, which will help any workers who may fall short of making enough hours to qualify for employment insurance.

"If there's people who just couldn't meet the EI eligibility qualifications, thanthe MunicipalAffairs [Department], throughthe Community Enhancement Program is ready, willing and able to help out any person who's affected by this devastation," he said.

That program kicks in sometime this fall, once the seafood processing season wraps up.

Joyce added he has also sorted out an insurance issue for the town, and that the province is working with Quinlan Brothers to smooth any potential roadblocks to the company's rebuilding. Joyce said that effortis, to his knowledge, in the design and engineering phase.