(July 9, 2021) – David Brazil, Leader of the PC Official Opposition, is challenging Premier Furey to get a commitment from the Prime Minister to address the high cost of travel in and out of Newfoundland and Labrador. As border restrictions ease, people trying to reunite with family and loved ones encounter sky-high prices

Brazil says, “We’ve seen examples of one-way flights from St. John’s to Toronto be priced at almost $700, while a flight from St. John’s to the United States can be substantially less, even though the flight connects through Toronto. It’s utterly ridiculous. Flight prices have not returned to reasonable rates like we are seeing in other parts of the country. Simply put, we are being gouged and it’s making it difficult to reunite families.”

When asked about the high prices of travel at a St. John’s Board of Trade luncheon, the Prime Minister said “We're watching all these different factors to make sure that if there are gaps or challenges that are going to slow our recovery that we address them.”

More than a month later, without action, Premier Furey stated that he would address the issue with the Prime Minister at the next First Minister’s meeting.

Brazil says, “I challenge the Premier to get a commitment from the Prime Minister. Vague platitudes are doing nothing more than choking our tourism industry and preventing people from finally seeing their loved ones as this pandemic winds down.”

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Contacts:

Bradley Russell

Director of Communications and Digital Strategy

(p) 709.729.3668

BradleyRussell@gov.nl.ca