Williams Harbour wharf another casualty in the budgetary process

Government’s decision to quietly scrap funding for the reconstruction of the community wharf in Williams Harbour is disappointing and demonstrates this administration’s lack of compassion when dealing with areas that are reliant upon fishery infrastructure to make their living, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

The community wharf in Williams Harbour burned down in 2007. Government committed to rebuilding the wharf in the last two budgets, but none of the money was spent and funding was removed from this year’s budget. Similar to the decision to scrap the pre-detention facility in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, no announcement was made of the decision and the funding was quietly removed.

“Government issued tender calls to complete the project over the past two years, but the contract was never awarded,” said Ms. Jones. “Instead of trying to fix issues that may have existed within the tendering process, the minister has decided to remove the funding from the budget altogether. This decision will negatively impact the residents of this community who rely upon the fishery for their livelihoods.”

Jones says that since the wharf was destroyed, fish harvesters have had great difficulty docking, loading and unloading their vessels in the community. Some boat owners are even being forced to keep their fishing vessels in other towns.

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