Yvonne Jones, MHA for the District of Cartwright-L=Anse Au Clair, says that government=s announcement that it will provide interim vessel support to communities in her district hampered by ice conditions falls short of what is really needed to address the transportation challenges in that area. 

Jones was reacting to a ministerial statement by the Minister of Transportation and Works read in the House of Assembly this week that his department would provide a weekly grant of $1500 so two local vessels can operate up to two times a week between the communities of Norman Bay and Williams Harbour, as well as between Port Hope Simpson and Charlottetown. 

AWhat the people in Williams Harbour and Norman Bay need  from government is a commitment to build a road to these communities so they are no longer isolated,@ says Jones. AThis is one of the few remaining remote areas in this province without a road access and it is time government stepped up and provided this very necessary service.   

AIn the meantime, to address the current problem with the ice conditions and the ferry service not scheduled to start until early June, what the people are asking for is a helicopter service to go in and out of these communities .  Since last week, residents of Norman Bay have not been able to even run a vessel to and from that community and they continue to struggle with the challenge of isolation and heavy arctic ice.@ 

The Liberal MHA says pleas from the residents for a road access have fallen on deaf ears with the government.  A report produced by government stated that they would not undertake road construction in these communities because it is not economically viable. AWhat they failed to understand is the need for a safe transportation network for people in that region. 

AThis government continues to insist that they recognize the challenges of isolation faced by these rural communities. Yet, their failure to build roads in this remote area shows just how little appreciation they have for this serious issue and how uncommitted they are to servicing the transportation needs of remote areas throughout this province.@