Ferry terminal work contract cancelled

By Michael Gorman

THE VANGUARD

NovaNewsNow.com

There is more reason for concern about the future of the Yarmouth ferry.

During last week’s regular council meeting Yarmouth town councillors learned that a major contract planned for the ferry terminal was cancelled by Transport Canada.

In an email to Frank Anderson, CEO of the South West Shore Development Authority, Graham Surette of Graham Construction, the company that was to do the work, advised Anderson of the news. That email was forwarded to council. “I thought you might want to know that Transport Canada cancelled the fencing and lighting project at the terminal,” Surette writes in the email.

Although a figure wasn’t given during the meeting, it was stated that the contract was significant and an amount larger than the funding announced two weeks ago by the federal government for improvements on the waterfront. That funding totaled $276,000.

Councillors took the news as an ominous sign that needed to be followed up on immediately, instructing that letters be forwarded to Transport Canada and West Nova MP Greg Kerr. A letter is to go to Premier Darrell Dexter, as well, to further illustrated to harmful impacts of the provincial NDP government’s decision not to provide funding for the The Cat’s 2010 season. “This is all part of what’s going to come down the pipe with the termination of the ferry service,” said Councillor Martin Pink. “Here is another example of loss of jobs probably and loss of income certainly for our community.”

Transport Canada has said the contract isn't cancelled, but merely postponed in light of the cancellation of The Cat.

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