Last week in my update, I didn't mention the ferry because I knew that the action committee, made up of the local Municipalities had a meeting with Shelburne MLA and Minister of Fisheries and Environment Sterling Belliveau on Friday. Plus, I gotta tell you, it's really hard to figure out where to start on this issue.
Firstly, let's talk about the decision itself. Bay Ferries, owners of the CAT, had been negotiating with folks at rural and economic development for some time. The issue, we figure, was brought to Cabinet by Minister Percy Paris for discussion early in December. We also figure that there was no recommendation from either department involved, just impact information, as Richard Hurlburt and I questioned the Deputy Minister at Economic Development about the issue. So what this really boils down to is that the Premier and his weak cabinet made a bad decision without all the information to discontinue the service. But it looks like Darrell doesn't want to change anything to fix this mistake. Regardless of all the wonderful videos on YouTube, the impact information, and the businesses that are crying for help, there doesn't seem to be much movement. The challenge we have now it that we are getting close to the end of the road to get Darrell to reverse the decision, the Doers and Dreamers Guide needs to go to print in February, just to name one.
Secondly, is that the main decision maker is out of town on vacation. Premier Dexter is out until the 7th of February and then heads to Vancouver for the Olympics as soon as he gets back. I don't diminish the fact that people need vacation, it's bad timing for a newby Premier. What really gets my goat on this one is that at the meeting with Minister Belliveau, according to a few friends that were there, Sterling seemed to be unaware of any of the facts surrounding the ferry issue that that he couldn't understand why people were so worked up. He committed to speaking with the Premier about the issue, hopefully understanding the urgency of this situation. My question is simple, did Sterling call Darrell before he headed on vacation?
Finally, why nobody has organized a protest at One Government Place is beyond me. If this was anywhere else in the province, they would be camped out that the Premier's doorstep. All I can do is say this - there were times when decisions in our government that were swayed due to the out pouring of emotion on Granville Street, and this government is still new and their skin is still thin. The protest needs to come from the Industry and the men, women and children that are being negatively affected by Darrell's bad decision.
More updates to come.