Government’s silence on Marine Atlantic unacceptable: Opposition

Liberal Opposition Leader and MHA for the District of Cartwright-L’Anse au Clair, Yvonne Jones, together with her colleague Kelvin Parsons, MHA for the District of Burgeo & La Poile, are calling upon the provincial government to take leadership and push the federal government to address the unacceptable level of service on the Marine Atlantic ferry route.

MHA Jones and  MHA Parsons met with leaders in the town of Port aux Basques earlier this week to hear first-hand the many concerns about the ferry service that are being shared by stakeholders including community, industry, travelers and tourists.

“Marine Atlantic provides a vital link to mainland Canada and the provision and level of service, especially that of the new reservation system, is totally inadequate to respond to the needs of tourists, industry and residents,” says Jones.  “And yet, there has not been a word expressed from either the provincial ministers of tourism or transportation, or the Premier, on this very serious issue. “

“This government needs to step in to ensure that local truckers and tourists have access to a higher standard of service than the federal government, through Marine Atlantic,  is currently offering.  This is having a huge impact on the provincial economy, especially the trucking industry and the tourism sector. People are unable to get a reservation or they are facing unnecessary delays, boats are leaving half full, food is not moved fast enough and tourists are simply not bothering to make plans to come here. There clearly are problems and there has to be smarter solutions. 

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