P.E.I. ferry problem must be resolved 'as quickly as possible'
MLA Darlene Compton says resuming ferry service should be a 'top priority'
P.E.I.'s opposition party is calling on the province to push the federal government to view repairs on the MV Holiday Island as a "top priority."
The Holiday Island is part of Northumberland Ferries service between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S.
Belfast-Murray River Progressive Conservative MLA Darlene Compton is concerned about how operating only one ferry will economically impact the eastern end of P.E.I. She said she has also heard from Northumberland Ferries workers worried about their seasonal jobs.
"We look toward the minister of transportation [Marc Garneau] to push that the work is done as quickly as possible," Compton said Wednesday.
"And, if you look back to earlier in the spring when [the federal government] changed the eligibility for collector roads, they changed the eligibility for inter-provincial ferries. So, there is infrastructure dollars there."
More steel work
On Monday, Northumberland Ferries announced the vessel needs more steel work than expected and wouldn't be available for service beginning on Friday as scheduled. The other vessel, the MV Confederation, will sail five times each day, as opposed to the scheduled nine crossings when the Holiday Island is in service during peak season.
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With files from Angela Walker