SAMSON CALLS ON GOVERNMENT TO REPAIR STORM DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE
Date: Monday January 4, 2010

(Halifax, NS) Liberal MLA for Richmond Michel P. Samson is calling on
both levels of government to provide immediate financial assistance to
repair damaged infrastructure in the community of Little Anse, Richmond
County.

"The storm on Saturday night further damaged the breakwater at the
entrance of the harbour which caused the only road into the community to
be flooded and covered in debris,” Samson said. “The storm also
caused the community wharf to collapse.”

The breakwater was built by the federal government and last repaired in
the 1970s. It is now breached and is no longer providing adequate
protection of the coastline.

"The federal government is aware of this problem and has so far refused
to make the necessary repairs to the breakwater. This community cannot
sustain another storm without suffering extensive, permanent damage,”
said Samson.

Samson will be writing to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Gail
Shea, asking for immediate funding to repair the breakwater and wharf.
The Minister recently made a commitment to fund repairs to the community
of Advocate Harbour to deal with coastal erosion.

"There is also a need for the Department of Transportation and
Infrastructure Renewal to get involved as the only road into this
community is at risk. I am hoping the provincial minister will work with
the federal government to find a joint solution to this problem,”
Samson said.

The picturesque community of Little Anse is located on Petit-de-Grat
Island, Isle Madame. There is only a main road leading to the community
which borders the ocean and a large pond.

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