Public Consultation Coming

The direction of Maritime Politics of Transport Canada will hold a public consultation on the islands around the end of September, on a project for the annual ferry service to Souris, PEI. Magdalen Islanders have already clearly expressed their request, in the effect of a large gathering that was held at the port of Grindstone on the first of April, 2007, where as many as 500 persons participated. The Minister will nevertheless, come to the islands to validate their needs, explained his spokesperson, Anne-Marie Bouchard.

As soon as the consultations are completed, on the relevance of establishing a ferry service for the whole year, the direction of Maritime Politics of Transport Canada will present the recommendation to the Minister, Lawrence Cannon. The final decision should be made as early as this fall, assured Mrs. Bouchard. A suggestion was made of the CTMA, under examination with Transport Canada since last February, for the year round maritime crossing project. The Minister himself, will put aside a subsity of close to four millions dollars for the upgrading and operations of the Maritime wharves in Grindstone and in Souris, and for discussions of using the 'Madeleine' from the first of April to the end of January. The additional one trip per week during the months of February and March will cost about another million dollars.