Letter to Premier from Ferry Connected Communities, Meeting Request - Ferry Captain's Strike

Dear Premier Furey,

We write to you today as a committee made up of ferry connected communities who are gravely concerned about the impacts on our communities, businesses and residents related to the ongoing ferry Captain's strike.

We are requesting an urgent meeting, preferably tomorrow (Friday), with yourself, the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and a representative of the Captain's union to discuss the matters at hand and to ensure all parties are aware and informed so as to restore the ferry service in a timely manner.

We are especially concerned that the human stories are not being heard by those in the decision-making process. The woman who must take to a small open boat to be with a loved one who is dying, the families who are separated as one parent must stay in town to work, the doctor appointments which are now multi-day ordeals, the dialysis and chemotherapy patients who must endure additional hardships, increasing costs for basic goods, foodbank deliveries interrupted, construction schedules thrown into chaos, increasing difficulties and costs securing necessary service calls and so on. We believe it is imperative to bring the stakeholders together ensuring that this is not just a cold hearted dollars and cents exercise but one that reflects the whole picture of an essential government service that meets the needs of the citizens being served.

Time is of the essence as every additional day of disrupted ferry service increases the human and economic toll on our communities that have already been devastated by the events of 2020 including Snowmageddon and COVID-19. We look forward to your prompt attention to our plight and a swift response demonstrating your commitment to the immediate resolution of the issue that is directly impacting the safety, well-being and livelihood of thousands of Newfoundland and Labrador residents as well as the very survival of many of our local businesses.

Sincerely,
Town of Change Islands
Town of Fogo Island
Town of Pilley's Island (Long Island)
Town of Ramea
Town of St. Brendan's
Town of Wabana (Bell Island)

CC: Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Derrick Bragg
President of Treasury Board, Steve Crocker
Canadian Merchant Service Guild
MHA Brian Warr
MHA Andrew Parsons
MHA Lloyd Parrott
MHA David Brazil