News Release
Office of the Official Opposition

Jones questions government on William Harbour road

Yvonne Jones, MHA for the District of Cartwright - L=Anse Au Clair, questioned the Minister of Transportation and Works earlier this week in the House of Assembly about building a road to Williams Harbour.  

AI was disappointed by the minister=s refusal to even entertain the possibility of such a road, but I do not intend to give up the fight,@ said Ms. Jones. AThis government has shown that they often react to political pressure and I intend to keep the pressure on when it comes to this issue. It is too important to the people of Williams Harbour to give up.@ 

The Liberal MHA explained to the House of Assembly that Williams Harbour is a community on the South Coast of Labrador that is cut off from the mainland by a dangerous water crossing. She noted that people attempting to get off the island in winter to access medical services and provisions are forced to cross salt water ice, putting their lives in danger. 

The safety issues regarding this crossing had been emphasized earlier on the same day in the House of Assembly as Jones read a members statement about a young man who received a bravery award for rescuing his friend who went through the ice while trying  to get off the island.  

AI have raised this issue in the House of Assembly several times in the last four years, but the government gave no indication that they are willing to explore the possibility of constructing this road and alleviating the hardship experienced in this community.@ 

The road to Williams Harbour was slated to be built and the community connected to the Trans Labrador Highway during the previous Liberal administration, but the project was cancelled by the Williams= Government when they came to power in 2003.

Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Director of Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
709-729-6151 or 709-687-0477