Contrary to recent comments made by the Opposition Transportation Critic and MHA for Port de Grave, Roland Butler, the Bell Island ferry service continues to be a priority for the Provincial Government. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, set the record straight today.

"Our government has invested heavily in the ferry service for Bell Island and we will continue to invest strategically to ensure that residents, businesses and visitors to Bell Island continue to have a service that meets their needs," said Minister Hedderson. "Ferry vessels are complicated pieces of machinery and there will be challenges from time to time as vessels require repairs and maintenance. Recent damage to the bow thrusters of the MV Flanders and MV Nonia were the result of physical damage sustained through objects in the water and had nothing to do with the mechanical condition of the vessels or their equipment. This damage could just as easily have happened to new vessels."

In a news release dated June 2, 2010, Mr. Butler referenced "government's 2006 Vessel Replacement Strategy" as having identified Bell Island as a priority for vessel replacement. Minister Hedderson pointed out that the "strategy" referenced by the Opposition Critic was in fact a consultant's report, prepared by BMT Fleet Technology Limited, for consideration by the Provincial Government. Further, with specific reference to the Bell Island service, the 2006 report clearly states, "The issues of service reliability on this route can be addressed by improving the performance of the existing ships on the run and, in the longer term, by vessel replacement. Neither the Beaumont Hamel nor, more particularly, the Flanders should be near the top of any lists for replacement."

"If Mr. Butler is going to hang his hat on a consultant's report to present an argument to bump Bell Island to the top of the list for ferry vessel replacement, perhaps he should read it first," said Minster Hedderson. "We are currently engaged in a vessel replacement process that is seeing us replace vessels on a priority basis with consideration to factors including vessel age, condition and service requirements. Bell Island is currently served by vessels that are among the newest in the provincial fleet and, which according to the 2006 consultant's report, could provide an additional 10-15 years of service."

Minister Hedderson also expressed his surprise and dismay that Mr. Butler would suggest that the Bell Island ferry service should be placed ahead of ferry services to other communities which are in greater need of new vessels. The minister noted that some of these communities are among the most rural and remote in the province.

"The Opposition pays lip service to being champions of rural Newfoundland and Labrador," said Minister Hedderson. "However, we see in Mr. Butler's comments that this sentiment is only relevant to members of the Opposition when it is politically convenient. The priorities we have laid out for vessel replacement to date deal with the replacement of vessels for some of our most rural and isolated communities and are concrete examples of our government's real commitment to rural Newfoundland and Labrador."

The total investment in the Bell Island ferry service since the 2004-05 fiscal year amounts to more than $57 million. This includes:

• more than $38 million in operating costs;
• more than $10 million for vessel refits; and,
• approximately $8 million dollars in wharf and related infrastructure repairs.