MLAs offer condolences

Members speak about deaths of two men over the weekend near Beach Point

MLAs in P.E.I.’s legislature gave condolences Tuesday for the men who died after two lobster boats collided near Beach Point on the weekend.

Belfast-Murray River MLA Darlene Compton rose in the house before Tuesday’s question period to speak to the motion, saying the community is in shock, and everyone she talked to on the weekend had heard about the accident.

“It just hit them right in their heart. It’s a tragedy,” she said.

GoFundMe campaigns have been started for the families of Justin MacKay and Chris Melanson who died after a lobster boat on its way back to shore hit another that was buoyed about nine kilometres off the coast Saturday morning.

Premier Wade MacLauchlan introduced the motion with support from the other party leaders to “honour and remember those who have lost their lives” and those who mourn the men’s deaths.

MacLauchlan said MLAs have spoken many times in the house about the hope that fishing and farming seasons will go safely.

The deaths were a reminder of the risks people take in the province’s primary sectors and they affect all Islanders, MacLauchlan said.

“It’s certainly with a heavy heart that we make this motion and extend our condolences today.”

Green leader Peter BevanBaker said it appears there have been a lot of tragedies in P.E.I. recently.

“So much pain in so many communities on our Island,” he said.