Conrad calls on minister to further develop plan for ferry
NDP transportation critic and MLA for Queens Vicki Conrad today asked the Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Murray Scott why his department won’t get serious about developing a plan for continued Bay Ferries Ltd. service between Digby and Saint John.
“A plan was developed in 2006 with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick contributing $2 million each and the federal government adding $4 million. This was enough to help keep the ferry running until the end of January 2009,” says Conrad. “With just nine months remaining in this plan and with the ferry’s importance to numerous South West Nova businesses, what is the status of an extended, or new plan?”
Conrad says residents and businesses in southwestern Nova Scotia are getting tired of the constant runaround from government officials.
“When plant owners talk to the feds they are told to get provincial government onside. When they talk to the provincial government they are told to get the federal government onside,” says Conrad. “I honestly think the Conservative government has lost touch with the industries that built Nova Scotia and have failed to recognize that this ferry service is an important gateway for our primary producers to get their product to the northeastern U.S. market.”
“When will the minister recognize this ferry as an important gateway for South West Nova and sit down with stakeholders to find a solution?” Conrad asked.
