MLA to hold town hall in Gibsons on cuts to ferry service
October 18, 2008
GIBSONS - The public outcry following recent cuts to ferry services has led Powell River - Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons to call a Town Hall meeting for Monday, October 20th at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre.
"These cuts are more than an inconvenience, they actually prevent people from getting to
Nicholas Simonswork, they make it more difficult for people to visit their families, they wreak havoc on our local sports teams and athletes,” said Simons. “Further, they make the communities along the Sunshine Coast more isolated."
"What makes this even worse is that the Campbell government has given B.C. Ferries the right to do this without any consultation whatsoever,” said Simons. “The B.C. Liberals didn’t even consider the impact on our communities.”
Simons said the Campbell government promised the public stable fares and better service when they privatized the marine highway. “Well, like so many other promises, Gordon Campbell broke this one as well, and as a result we have seen skyrocketing ferry fares and reductions in service.”
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon has been invited, as has David Hahn, the President and CEO of the company. Neither has confirmed or offered to send a delegate.
“This meeting is a chance for the community to be heard on the real effects that these cuts in service will have,” said Simons. “It is about time that the Campbell government and the B.C. Ferries Corporation took the time to listen.”
Date: Monday, October 20Time: 7:30pmLocation: Gibsons and Area Community Centre, 700 Park Rd., Gibsons
Confirmed attendees include:Barry Janyk, Mayor of GibsonsGary Coons, MLA, Opposition Critic for BC FerriesJakob Knaus, Ferry Advisory Committee (Lower Sunshine Coast)Gregg Dow, Save Our FerriesElected regional government representativesLocal government officials
"These cuts are more than an inconvenience, they actually prevent people from getting to
Nicholas Simonswork, they make it more difficult for people to visit their families, they wreak havoc on our local sports teams and athletes,” said Simons. “Further, they make the communities along the Sunshine Coast more isolated.""What makes this even worse is that the Campbell government has given B.C. Ferries the right to do this without any consultation whatsoever,” said Simons. “The B.C. Liberals didn’t even consider the impact on our communities.”
Simons said the Campbell government promised the public stable fares and better service when they privatized the marine highway. “Well, like so many other promises, Gordon Campbell broke this one as well, and as a result we have seen skyrocketing ferry fares and reductions in service.”
Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon has been invited, as has David Hahn, the President and CEO of the company. Neither has confirmed or offered to send a delegate.
“This meeting is a chance for the community to be heard on the real effects that these cuts in service will have,” said Simons. “It is about time that the Campbell government and the B.C. Ferries Corporation took the time to listen.”
Date: Monday, October 20Time: 7:30pmLocation: Gibsons and Area Community Centre, 700 Park Rd., Gibsons
Confirmed attendees include:Barry Janyk, Mayor of GibsonsGary Coons, MLA, Opposition Critic for BC FerriesJakob Knaus, Ferry Advisory Committee (Lower Sunshine Coast)Gregg Dow, Save Our FerriesElected regional government representativesLocal government officials
Powell River-Sunshine Coast
Nicholas Simons was first elected as MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast on May 17, 2005.
