A new rule that only allows for a 74-lb (65-litre) propane tank to cross the St. Lawrence River, in Quebec, has MP Todd Russell scratching his head.
Russell said the new rule will certainly serve as a great inconvenience for people out of Labrador West who cross the St. Lawrence in motorhomes in order to get to Newfoundland or any part of the mainland.
Having to reroute up to Quebec City will mean an extra day [each way] for those people and Russell is not sure why it is even necessary.
"I will be certainly be checking into that, absolutely," he vowed. "For one thing, we know-from the information I was given-there was no notification given and certainly no real rationale provided for the change. This does affect a significant portion of the population here in Labrador West, particularly where you have terrible roads going east and a lot people do use the west as an alternative."
Russell said his office will be requesting a written explanation from the responsible authority, RÉgie de l'Énergie and depending on the response, he may have to request a change to this policy.
"If there are valid safety concerns, then we would like to know what they hell they are and just what gave rise to this now," Russell said. "This is understanding the fact that this type of traffic didn't just start last year, it has been going on for decades with, apparently, no issue."
If there are valid safety concerns, the MP said, they should be put forth in the interest of other ferries that operate in the country.
"This is a Quebec inter-provincial ferry service, so I guess they have liberty to do as they please," the MP pointed out. "But it would be interesting to know if there is a safety issue that we should be aware of in the interest of all other ferries."
Russell said he finds it unusual that Marine Atlantic, a federally-ran service hasn't adopted the policy.
"I have to wonder now if the ferry out of Goose Bay (Sir Robert Bond), that carries passengers and vehicles for 36 hours, for example, is safe," he added. "I would think if there are serious safety concerns Transport Canada would have implemented this rule for all ferries."
In the meantime, Russell assured he will be digging for answers and will make contact with the federal (regional) Quebec MP as well as the minister of transportation in Quebec.
"We need to find out what's behind it and find out why there was a lack of notification," he said.
MP to seek answer on new ferry policy in Quebec
Liberal MP Todd Russell says the policy to not allow vessels to carry more than a 74-lb propane tanks seems to be a Quebec-only policy. He said he would seek answers as to why this new rule has come into effect for ferries such as this one in Baie-Comeau.
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- Published on June 21st, 2010
- Published on July 14th, 2010
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Michelle Stewart
A new rule that only allows for a 74-lb (65-litre) propane tank to cross the St. Lawrence River, in Quebec, has MP Todd Russell scratching his head.
Russell said the new rule will certainly serve as a great inconvenience for people out of Labrador West who cross the St. Lawrence in motorhomes in order to get to Newfoundland or any part of the mainland.
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Comments
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- Resident
- - July 14th, 2010 at 11:48:31
Darryl @ you are a pompus a** and no nothing but an expert on everything.
Since I live here and know how people travel, I know the magnitude of traffic the crosses over at Matane etc to get to NB, NS, NL etc... and to give all the way around (as you can read above), alot of French people don't have to take the ferry as the can follow the shore to Quebec, where the are mostly going anyway. -
- cg
- - July 14th, 2010 at 11:48:28
Not everybody in Quebec is French and not only Labradorians use the ferry and this does not affect only Labradorians, but any person (French or English) that have motor homes and use the ferry service.
Do you actually think that the French or English Quebecers that have motor homes are please with this new rule? -
- Darryl
- - July 14th, 2010 at 11:48:21
cg, don't mind that halfwit. She's unemployed, bored and otherwise ignorant.
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- Resident
- - July 14th, 2010 at 11:48:18
P.S. good luck gettin a written explaination from any french company, unless you request it in french and then translate it to us yourself. Quebec really Thinks they own Labrador, they really do.
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- Resident
- - July 14th, 2010 at 11:48:06
It's number 1. They (zee french) are P'd off at Dan Williams, so they figured they have the power To cut off every LAbrador ian who has been using this service and paying for years from Labrador.
2. They are just pissy at English people in general and know they can fill thier ferries with french people first.
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