|
|||||
| Return to 2005 News Releases | |||||
|
|
News
Release |
||||
|
Jones demands release of report on marine freight rates Says new rates should be set for 2005
season
|
|||||
|
Yvonne Jones, Opposition Labrador Affairs Critic and MHA for the District of
Cartwright - L’Anse au Clair, is demanding that government release a study
into reforming marine freight rates in Labrador.
"Government has been sitting on this report for well over a month, despite a professed commitment to openness and accountability and guarantees that reports would be released to the public within 30 days," said Jones. "With the summer freight season set to begin, the time has come for government to release this report publicly and explain to the people of Labrador when they can expect freight rates to decline." Jones points out that marine freight rates in Labrador are exorbitant, and doing business in the region is often cost-prohibitive. "Businesses in the region have told me that at the current rates it is just as cheap to ship freight from Lewisporte to Happy Valley-Goose Bay, placing Cartwright at a competitive disadvantage. Marine rates must be adjusted to accommodate regional services and to correct for this disadvantage Cartwright faces relative to other centres. I expect that the recommendations in the report will reflect that assessment." The Liberal MHA is calling on the Minister for Labrador Affairs to release the report and act on it’s recommendations immediately because the Labrador marine freight season will soon commence. "Government has an obligation to the people of Labrador to act on this report and reduce rates for the upcoming season should it suggest such action. I raised this issue in the House of Assembly last week, and the Minister must stop his stalling." |
|||||
|
Media Contact: |
|||||
