‘Enough to turn your stomach’
Federal minister and area MP Lawrence MacAulay admits frustration on not being able to solve P.E.I. car ferry issue
A powerful member of the federal government cabinet says he hates feeling powerless to solve the car ferry issue. Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay, who is also the federal minister of agriculture, says he wishes his influence around the cabinet table made a difference in this case. MacAulay is talking about the Wood Islands-Caribou, N.S., ferry matter. The MV Holiday Island has been out of service all season when the need for extensive repairs was discovered at the last minute.
“For it to happen (just after) I was appointed minister is enough to turn your stomach,’’ said MacAulay, who was appointed minister of agriculture last year. Belfast-Murray River MLA Darlene Compton held a press conference at the Wood Islands ferry terminal on Tuesday with Pictou West MLA Karla MacFarlane. They both called for action and advocated the need to purchase a new ferry to replace the 46-year-old MV Holiday Island. The MV Confederation, which is making six round trips per day in an effort to deal with all of the traffic by itself, is 23 years old. MacAulay said there is no sugarcoating the issue.
“Of course it’s a problem and not a small problem either. It’s a problem for the truckers and a problem for tourists on the eastern part of the Island.’’
The federal minister acknowledges the issue with the MV Holiday Island should have been handled better.
“Look, I got caught with this. I didn’t know the boat was rusted. If I (did), there would have been a push on earlier. Now my focus is on getting it repaired as quickly as possible, and that’s just where it is.’’ Northumberland Ferries Ltd. maintains the MV Holiday Island will be out of service most of the summer. When pushed on a timeline, MacAulay said he hopes the vessel is able to return to duty soon.
“I was hoping for late August (return), but I’m not at the shipyard either. “Everything has to be done a certain way and done properly, which is, of course, what we want in the end. Can it be a bit frustrating? You are absolutely right.’’ In the end, MacAulay said safety is paramount, so the repairs cannot be rushed. MacAulay adds he remains in daily contact with Transport Canada and the prime minister’s office on attempts to find a ferry that can step in temporarily until the MV Holiday Island is ready. The search continues.
“Well, it hasn’t been successful to this point. I’m not trying to play a game or drag the puck. If I could find a boat that I could get, I tell you it would be there. I think many people in the prime minister’s office understand how important this is.’’