ELECTION '08: Incumbent MP calls for immediate harbour dredging

By Andy Walker

SOU’WESTER

The federal election should not bring the process of dredging harbours to a halt, incumbent Liberal MP Wayne Easter argues in a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper.

Easter, who represents the P.E.I. riding of Malpeque, is calling on the Prime Minister to lift his instructions preventing the federal public service from performing its normal business activities.

"My concern is that DFO is being prevented from providing critically important dredging operations at Malpeque Harbour,” Easter said. “The issue is of critical importance to those using the harbour and presents a safety issue for those using the Bay, particularly at this time for our mussel fishers.”

Easter said bi-annual dredging has always been done in Malpeque, which is located in the central part of the province and is one of the busiest ports in area 24. The Liberal candidate argued the dredging is vital to the livelihood of area fishers.

"Simply put this is a matter of safety for the fishermen who utilize this harbour. Malpeque Harbour has the least amount of water coming over the channel entrance ever," said Easter. “Mussel fishers are starting their socking season carrying heavy loads in dangerous seas. Water at this time of year becomes more dangerous and so cold that should an accident occur hypothermia would set in quickly."

Easter maintains that if an accident occurred at low tide it would be impossible even to get a rescue craft across the harbour entrance for a rescue. He maintains this is not a political issue, but a matter of safety. He said the dredging of Malpeque Bay cannot wait until an election is completed.