Local reaction
Port aux Basques Mayor Brian Button said the funding is more than was anticipated and he’s happy to see money put into enhancing Marine Atlantic’s infrastructure.
“Now we’re seeing money that’s going onshore to be able to do work at the existing ports,” Mayor Button said from St. John’s Tuesday.
“In some cases, these ports haven’t seen any actual real infrastructure done in a number of years. This money will certainly help.”
He views the plan as a positive step for the town and proof the federal government and Marine Atlantic are committed to the area long-term despite occasional rumblings to the contrary.
“I keep telling people that the port of Port aux Basques will be the port of call and the gateway to the province,” he said.
“Seeing money like this announced for this type of work only secures that and lets everyone know they’re committed to the port of Port Aux Basques.”
Mayor Button was in meetings in St. John’s had yet to hear full details of the specific plan for upgrades in Port aux Basques.
As someone who hasn’t been shy to speak out about the service on the Gulf run in the past, Button said this is a time to give kudos, not criticism.
“You can’t say anything negative when you see these types of things happening,” he said.
“We’ve got to look at the positive things that are happening and the positives in the commitment to provide a good and reliable service to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. From that perspective, I feel a lot of encouragement in seeing that service delivered efficiently.”
reporter@gulfnews.ca
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