Article contentThe changes were affecting the ferries on staggered dates this year and next.Article contentThe province, however, pushed back as it sought reasoning for the change, given the safety record on both of the ferry crossings. It asked for the status quo.Article contentAs of the community meeting that was held on June 14, the province had not begun advertising for the extra employment positions for the ferry crossings. That shocked residents given that the change involving the Scotian ferry was set to happen around June 24.Article contentArticle contentLocal resident Trent Albright had said residents and businesses should not “get stuck with” the undesirable Scotian ferry while the province tried to get its way.Article contentArticle contentResidents and businesses cited long ferry backups and wait times, traffic congestion, business and tourism impacts, concerns over emergency vehicles, ferry breakdowns, and numerous other concerns related to the Scotian plan.Article contentAnd then there was the hit Brier Island’s tourism reputation would take, noted resident Amy Tudor, who said that whale watching and Brier Island are part of peoples’ bucket lists. Tudor said Brier Island’s population may be small, “but we host the world.”Article contentImagine, she said, tourists arriving and seeing the Scotian ferry as their only option on and off the island.Article content Many people attended a community meeting to discuss the Brier Island and Long Islands ferries. TINA COMEAUArticle contentCountless residents said the community, tourism and the economy stood to lose a lot if getting to and from the island became the nightmare they predicted it would be with the Scotian. And this would be costly for the province too if the small, old ferry had to make continuous trips back and forth to keep up with the travel demand.Article contentArticle contentFollowing the community meeting, Digby-Annapolis MLA and cabinet minister Jill Balser, who had been at the meeting, shared some thoughts in a Facebook post.Article content“Your concerns and worries for your ferry were felt by all who attended. I appreciated the questions asked and the frustrations expressed from the current situation, from the lack of communication, and from the feeling nothing was being done,” she said, assuring residents that actions identified at the meeting were taking place.Article content“You deserve a reliable and safe ferry service. One that will not be taken, disrupted or jeopardized,” Balser said.Article contentA couple of days after the community meeting, the Public Works department said it was still evaluating what it would mean for staffing on the ferries if Transport Canada does require four workers per crossing.Article contentThe ferries operate 24/7, with shift work involved.Article content“We currently operate the ferries with 24 workers, plus four spares,” department spokesperson Gary Andrea said.Article contentOn June 20, the department confirmed that for now there has been a pause regarding the changes Transport Canada is seeking.Article content“The Joe Casey and the Petit Princess will continue to operate as per its current schedule,” Andrea said, meaning the Margaret’s Justice will not be moved from its ferry crossing and the Scotian will not be put in service.Article content“We will continue to work with Transport Canada to ensure all requirements are met,” he said.Article content
Brier Island residents thankful for pause to ‘nightmare’ ferry backup plan
