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Yvonne Jones, MHA for Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair says government
is not very forthcoming with details regarding the future of marines
services in Labrador. "Both the premier and the Minister of Works,
Services and Transportation continued to reiterate that an independent study
will be undertaken and announced just yesterday that a company has been
contracted," said Jones. " The people in my district would like to
see the terms of reference for this study. They are looking for assurances
that there will be public consultations included as well as a total analysis
of the complete economic impacts on the south coast of Labrador if the Sir
Robert Bond were to move.
Jones adds, "This proposed study of which details are very sparse is
totally unnecessary at best. The Sir Robert Bond is a ferry that
services the area between Cartwright and Goose Bay. It does not interfere
with any services into northern Labrador, nor does it have any place
operating out of Lewisporte. This is a Labrador service connecting a
Labrador Route and it should be treated the same as any other ferry
connection in the province such as the Change Island Ferry, the Bell Island
Ferry or the Strait of Belle Isle Ferry."
"It is time for the Minister and the Premier to make public the
particulars of this study so that the people affected most have some idea of
what’s involved," said the MHA. "It is this lack of information,
the lack of response to this issue and their unwillingness to sit down and
listen to the people who live in that area that has caused things to
escalate to the point of protests that exist today."
Jones is calling on the Minister and Premier to release the information
and encouraging both the Minister of Works, Services & Transportation
and the Minister of Labrador Affairs to meet with the south coast people,
the Chamber of Commerce and Zonal Board representatives on their visit to
Labrador this week. "It is an absolute slight to the residents of
Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair to have three ministers visit Goose Bay and
Labrador City, but ignore them at a time when they are faced with such a
vital issue that has huge implications on the future viability of the whole
area," concludes Jones. |