(July 29, 2024, St. John’s NL)
Jim McKenna, PC Opposition Critic for Transportation and MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels, today spoke out again after the latest ferry breakdown on the Fogo Island-Change Islands service left over 100 vehicles stranded Sunday night.
McKenna was reacting after being flooded with calls after the MV Veteran went out of service Sunday, leaving the much smaller MV Astron on a "load-and-go schedule."
"Over 100 vehicles were left stranded on the Fogo Island side Sunday evening, many with small children and seniors. People were forced to sleep in cars with no access to food or water. This is totally and completely unacceptable."
McKenna noted there was no formal communication or updates from the Department of Transportation about what was going on. Further, the waiting rooms on both sides do not even have a vending machine.
"Why wasn't a public notice sent out to notify residents and tourists? Why wasn?t the school opened so people could have access to shelter, water, and washrooms?"
"The new Furey Liberal Minister has picked up right where the previous Furey Liberal Minister left off. A total failure in communication and treating people with respect. Can you imagine the damage this fiasco did to our tourism reputation? The Furey Liberals simply must do better!"
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