Lunenburg Scolds Party in Power

Ferry furor leads to CAT calls from local lawmakers
by Keith Corcoran


BRIDGEWATER - The Dexter government is getting a scolding from Lunenburg County lawmakers who think the province prematurely kiboshed a multi-million-dollar subsidy to run the Nova Scotia to Maine ferry service.
South Shore-St. Margarets Conservative MP Gerald Keddy called on Premier Darrell Dexter to get his priorities in order. Mr. Keddy said this is not the best method for Nova Scotia's NDP government to boost the economy and balance its books.

Bay Ferries terminated the CAT ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine after the province decided last month to stop paying the company annual subsidies, estimated to be well into the millions of dollars.

Perplexing to some politicians was the quick trigger finger of the NDP who didn't wait for the completion of a ferry services study. The document is expected to be released in the spring.

"We spent $250,000 through ACOA [Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency] to do a complete study on the Digby-Saint John ferry, the Yarmouth-Portland ferry, the transportation links in South West Nova," Mr. Keddy said. "This is not a part of the province we can afford to, nor should we, cut off."

Civic politicians in Bridgewater also weighed in, hoping this latest move is not indicative of what Nova Scotians can expect from the Dexter government.

"I think this was a very sudden announcement and it took the feet out from under the Town of Yarmouth and the counties surrounding it," suggested Mayor Carroll Publicover "and if this town were Yarmouth we'd be reeling right now."

Bridgewater passed a resolution communicating to the province its concerns the negative impact the loss of ferry service will have to the regional economy. The resolution also calls upon the province to talk with stakeholders in considering its options.

Mr. Keddy said he worries about local tourism.

"That 75,000 or 100,000 or 125,000 people who came here because of the ferry may not be coming here," he said.

Mayor Publicover indicated that he's been given assurances by the localNDP MLA that a solution will be forthcoming.