Gary Coons's News
June 28, 2007
PRINCE RUPERT – The residents of Hartley Bay are still waiting for B.C. Ferries to take action on the Coast Guard’s recommendations to address the environmental impacts of the Queen of the North sinking. New Democrat MLA Gary Coons says the waiting has gone on long enough.Gary Coons “The Canadian Coast Guard made a number of important recommendations which would help mitigate the environmental impacts of the sinking, but B.C. Ferries continues to drag their feet on implementing...
June 21, 2007
VICTORIA – New Democrat Ferries Critic Gary Coons says B.C. Ferries needs to stop interfering and let the Transportation Safety Board do its job. Coons is reacting to reports that B.C. Ferries Services Inc. CEO David Hahn wants to reopenGary Coons their internal investigation into the sinking of the Queen of the North, which would serve to further delay the full report from the safety board. “We’ve been waiting for nearly a year and a half for the full story behind the tragedy to come...
May 30, 2007
VICTORIA – With another mudslide on Highway 16 cutting off northern communities, it is time for the Province to invest in upgrading the Cranberry Connector, New Democrat MLAs Gary Coons and Robin Austin said today.“This stretch of Highway 16 is the only road connecting the communities of Terrace,Gary Coons Kitimat and Prince Rupert to the rest of the Province,” said Coons, the MLA for the North Coast. “These communities are cut-off for days when a slide, like the one on Monday, happens. It is...
May 30, 2007
VICTORIA – New Democrat Ferries Critic Gary Coons says Transportation Minister Kevin Falcon must step in to ensure that ferry fares are affordable for all British Columbians. Coons presented a petition in the Legislature Tuesday from residents of Salt Spring Island, which calls for an increase in the provincial subsidy to the smaller routes operated by B.C. Ferries. “Ferry users from Gabriola to Sandspit are worried that access to their marine highwayGary Coons system may soon be out of...
April 27, 2007
VICTORIA – News that the Northern Adventure is heading back into refit is a major embarrassment for B.C. Ferries, and shows they didn’t properly plan for the transition period for the vessel, New Democrat MLA Gary Coons says. In a vague media release, B.C. Ferries acknowledged the ship – the cost of which,Gary Coons including its renovations, was more than $100 million – was “experiencing some issues,” but Coons, the NDP Critic for Ferries and Ports, said that statement does not reflect the...
March 6, 2007
VICTORIA –Gary Coons tried to get some answer for the family of Verna Sevigny Tuesday. Coons, the New Democrat MLA for North Coast, asked Health Minister George Abbott why Verna could not get placed at Acropolis Manor. Gary Coons“Verna was 96, and on a wait list for 18 months for long-term care,” said Coons. “She was told she was ‘far too healthy’ for admission. “Shortly after being rejected for long-term care, she fell in her home and broke her hip. She passed away a week and a half...
January 22, 2007
VICTORIA – B.C. Ferries should follow George Morfitt’s recommendation to pay greater attention to its Safety Management System, NDP Ferries Critic Gary Coons said.Morfitt’s recommendation is at least the third time B.C. Ferries was warned that its SMS was inadequately followed. Last summer Coons, the MLA for North Coast, called on B.C. Ferries to put greater emphasis on its SMS. Coons’ call echoed a similar recommendation from former Ferries safety director Darin Bowland...
