TIME FOR THE NDP TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY: LIBERALS
Date: Wednesday February 24, 2010

(Halifax, NS) Liberal leader Stephen McNeil and MLA for Clare Wayne Gaudet are today urging the Dexter government to accept a financial offer by municipal politicians that will save the ferry service between Yarmouth and New England.

“The people of Southwestern Nova Scotia were blindsided by the NDP government when it announced that funding for the Cat would be cut,” said Gaudet. “There was no consultation, there was no warning and the decision to end the ferry service was premature. So far, the Dexter government has refused to listen; this is the NDP’s chance to right a wrong.”

More than a dozen businesses and four municipal units in western Nova Scotia, including the town of Yarmouth, and the municipalities of Clare, Argyle and Yarmouth have pledged $2.5 million to $3 million to continue the ferry service if the Dexter government antes up an additional $3 million.

“This government is prepared to give Bay Ferries $3 million to shut down the ferry service and walk away - why wouldn’t the premier be willing to keep the service and the region alive for the same price tag?” asks McNeil. “More than 500 jobs are at stake here and the loss of this important link with the United States will have an impact right across our province.”

“It’s vital that the ferry service continue this season,” says McNeil. “Any interruption this year will cause long term damage to southwest Nova Scotia’s economy and our tourism industry as a whole. The premier needs to accept this offer while the opportunity still exists.”

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