Thursday, January 3, 2013

Premier Out Of Touch On Ferry Issue Says Yarmouth MLA


Photo: Zach Churchill
Premier Darrell Dexter's recent comments about the state of the economy in western Nova Scotia since the Yarmouth ferry ceased operating are being taken to task by the area's Liberal MLA. Zach Churchill of Yarmouth says if the premier believes all is well, tourism is booming and no jobs have been lost since the ferry service was cut 3 years ago, then he's living in a world of his own.



The premier made his comments during an interview this week. He said the decision to cut the subsidy on the service has "had little impact on Southwestern Nova Scotia" and he said its a myth that the economy in the area was linked to the ferry. Yet, a few months ago, the premier committed 21 million provincial dollars toward a new Yarmouth to Maine ferry service and he's asked Ottawa to provide an additional 15 to 30 million. Zach Churchill says: "we've lost 3,700 full time jobs and 2,800 people have left Southern Nova Scotia since the Dexter government cut the ferry." Churchill says people in the area are fed up with the delays. He says the Yarmouth ferry will be a key issue when the next provincial election is called.