PEI

Reduced Caribou-Wood Islands ferry service has major implications, says Opposition MLA

An Island Opposition MLA is calling for legislative hearings into the ongoing situation at Northumberland Ferries.

Darlene Compton calls for legislative hearings into ongoing situation

MV Confederation tied up at the dock.
The MV Confederation is the only ferry operating between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia this summer. (Julia Cook/CBC)

An Island Opposition MLA is calling for legislative hearings into the ongoing situation at Northumberland Ferries.

BelfastMurray– River MLA Darlene Compton says reduced service on the Caribou-Wood Islands run has major implications for tourism, trade and transportation.

Three months on there's little if any answers to the many questions being raised about the ferry's status and the future of the service.- Darlene Compton

The MV Holiday Island was taken out of service for the season when it was found to need more maintenance work than initially thought, leaving just the MV Confederation operating along the route.

"Three months on there's little if any answers to the many questions being raised about the ferry's status and the future of the service, so I think we need to have a legislative committee look into this," Compton said in a written release.

"If the premier is as committed on this issue as he says he is then there shouldn't be any problem with moving quickly on this request."

Compton said representatives from Transport Canada, Northumberland Ferries, and the ferry workers themselves should be invited to speak with the committee, along with representatives from the trucking and tourism sectors impacted by the reduced ferry service.

Compton also suggested that the legislative committee hold hearings in eastern P.E.I. to hear from those directly affected.

She is sending her request to the Standing Committee on Education and Economic Development.

With files from Angela Walker