Uncertainty clouds prospects for region’s future

Recent reports have led to speculation on both sides of the crossing that there will not be any action to preserve this vital economic link.

Our municipal leaders and their counterparts in Saint John have been diligently working to prove to government funding sources the economic necessity of the ferry, yet the responses to their inquiries are invariably guarded ‘no-speak’ rhetoric.

The uncertainty has put a chill on many prospective developments.

With ever-rising fuel costs, business is looking for more economical ways of transporting goods. Trucking goods along well-beaten roads is becoming very pricey.

Yes, the ferry uses the same fuel, but any transportation engineer will assert that water transport is the most efficient due to the potential for carrying more for the same expenditure.

The second most efficient mode is rail. Since we no longer have that option in southwestern Nova Scotia and our only access to rail lines to the New England and Upper Canadian markets is Saint John, we need the ferry to be competitive.

There is a discussion of high costs associated with the ferry and the development of a business case. Well, paving and maintaining roads is expensive, too.

Trucking every commodity significantly affects conditions of our roadways. Perhaps throwing in the costs associated with highways adds to the business case for this investment.

There are times it seems Halifax and Sydney cul du sacs are the only Nova Scotian locations on the government radar. When they speak of an ‘Atlantic Gateway’, the port of Saint John is rarely noted yet it is far busier than Halifax.

Saint John is our Atlantic Gateway for the future—a future that must include the ferry.

This area has significant economic challenges. Our lack of adequate or secure infrastructure only adds to our problems.

Hwy. 101 remains uncompleted between Digby and Weymouth, while other new roads elsewhere in the province are being built. Our wharf, now thankfully in local hands, has some serious needs. The ferry must remain if we are every going to move ahead.

The political masters are well aware that the communities associated with this vital infrastructure will not go quietly. Hal Theriault, who was chair of the Digby Area Tourism Society last time, stated very clearly then that without the regular crossing the economic health of all of southwestern Nova Scotia is at risk.

If we have to take to the streets and bombard the media yet again, we surely will.