December 23, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Minister calls on federal Transport Minister to 
address Newfoundland and Labrador's Gulf ferry needs immediately

Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister Charles Furey today expressed growing concern with respect to the amount of money set aside by the federal government to procure a new vessel for the Gulf ferry service in time for next year's tourist season, which is expected to be the most successful year to date for the province. The minister is also concerned about the type of vessel Transport Canada is considering for the ferry service.

Mr. Furey said: "We are dealing with the economic well being of our province and if the federal government has not allocated sufficient funds to procure the right vessel, then they lack an understanding of the significance of the ferry service.

"It would appear, in fact, that the federal transport minister does not have sufficient funds set aside in Marine Atlantic's corporate plan to purchase a vessel that meets the needs outlined in our recent report, On Deck and Below. If the funds are not there to procure the right ferry to do the job, then the whole budget level needs to be reviewed and changed.

"Is the federal government going to opt for a second-rate solution to Marine Atlantic's Gulf ferry service under capacity? If it is, not only will Newfoundlanders and Labradorians be short changed by federal penny pinching, but so will all of Canada and foreign travellers who visit our province. It is no longer tolerable to have substandard conditions for travellers on Marine Atlantic's ferries. We can't afford the negative impact visitors to our province will have when they recount to their friends and relatives their experience of sleeping on the floor of these vessels along with hundreds of others.

"There are also time delays in the procurement of a new vessel. Time is of the essence for Newfoundland and Labrador if we are to meet the anticipated increased tourist demand on the Gulf ferry service next year. We expect to have more tourists visit our province than ever before during the Vikings! 1000 Years celebrations. It is imperative that Marine Atlantic's acknowledged incapacity in our service be addressed and resolved now to meet the demands of our peak tourist season."

Media contact: Mary MacNab, Director of Communications, Telephone: (709) 729-0928, Cell: (709) 682-0366.

1999 12 23 1:35 p.m.