By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
As buses that had transported people concerned for the future of ferry service in Yarmouth made their way back home from a rally in Halifax on Thursday, word came from a delegation that had stayed behind to meet with the province’s economic development minister that the news was not any better than when they had left Yarmouth Thursday morning.
Minister Percy Paris told the delegation – made up of Yarmouth Mayor Phil Mooney and others – that the government’s decision made prior to Christmas stands. The province will not provide the millions in funding requested by Bay Ferries to keep The Cat in operation this year.
The news is crushing and disappointing to those who have continued to fight for the re-establishment of ferry service.
Buses carrying people deeply concerned over the cancellation of ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine departed from Yarmouth at 6 a.m. on Thursday, headed for Halifax for a rally to drive home the message that ferry service is vital to the economy of southwestern Nova Scotia and the rest of the province.
Travelling to Halifax were municipal politicians, tourism sector workers, Bay Ferries employees and others. They were joined in Halifax by union workers, business operators, ferry supporters and municipal politicians from other parts of the province and even P.E.I.
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Shortly after the rally, held outside the Nova Scotia Legislature and 1 Government Place got underway, some people stormed inside, looking to get the attention of government and to be able to speak with Economic Development Minister Percy Paris. They were asked by police to go back outside.
Paris never did come outside to address the crowd at the rally, but a delegation did get a meeting with him. That meeting was still ongoing as the rally concluded. Phone calls made when the meeting ended to people on the buses on their way home were discouraging, to say the least.
The predictions are that without ferry service this year, the fallout will be disastrous on the local tourism industry, and will impact all parts of the province, as the majority of people who travel to Yarmouth via The Cat spend their vacation in other parts of the province.
The anticipated job losses in Yarmouth County – between Bay Ferries employees, hotels, restaurants and other businesses that rely on The Cat – are reported to be 500 or more.
Among those who spoke at Thursday’s rally was Ian Hurst, president and CEO of Rodd Hotels and Resorts. Following the announcement of The Cat service cancellation, the Rodd Grand Hotel immediately started to feel the repercussions with bus tours cancelling visits and the loss of 1,000 room nights for this season.
CAW union president Ken Lewenza spoke at the rally. CAW members from across the province will demonstrate in support of ferry workers who are losing their jobs. “We are calling on Premier Darrell Dexter and his government to reverse this decision so this ferry service can continue to run until a viable long-term ferry can be put in place,” Lewenza said prior to the rally.
Premier Darrell Dexter is on vacation and therefore wasn’t in Halifax on Thursday.
Meanwhile yesterday the union representing border services officers in Yarmouth issued a dire warning, raising flags that without ferry service Yarmouth could be at jeopardy of losing its port of entry status. Losing that designation would not just impact marine services in Yarmouth, but also any potential air service said Nova Scotia branch union president Brett Evans.
Another concern is the time is running out for a ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine to be included in tourism publications. (Note to readers: Yarmouth Vanguard reporter Carla Allen did travel to Halifax on one of the buses that headed to Halifax. Coverage from the rally will be included in the next issue of the Yarmouth Vanguard and will also be posted to NovaNewsNow.com)
