Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu doesn’t think it’s a stretch for the federal government to find $2.5 million to fix the Sombra ferry border crossing.
“If the government can spend six million dollars to build an ice rink on Parliament Hill that lasts only four months, they should be able to find the money to fix the ferry,” Gladu says. “We’re giving the government every opportunity to do the right thing.”
Gladu says the issue is now with Gerald Butts in the Prime Minister’s Office. She’s taken it up through the food chain, directly contacting the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Minister of Public Safety, with all declining the funding request. It’s now before Minister of Infrastructure Amarjeet Sohi.
The causeway to the ferry was heavily damaged by massive chunks of ice. Bluewater Ferry owner Morgan Dalgety says they were caused by Canadian and American icebreakers moving ships through the St. Clair River. The Coast Guard isn’t taking any responsibility.
That’s unfortunate, says Gladu. Time is ticking and if an emergency solution is not found by Jan. 31, work on the causeway won’t begin until July. No construction can be started until after the fish spawning season.