Port aux Basques getting 'shortchanged' by Marine Atlantic, council says

While the town council in Port aux Basques says Marine Atlantic plays a vital role in the local economy, it also feels it's getting short changed by the crown corporation.

Representatives from the town were in St. John's Wednesday to take part in Marine Atlantic's annual general meeting.

"It's just bringing our frustrations forward is the main thing," Deputy Mayor Todd Stricklandtold the Corner BrookMorning Show.

"In some way, shape or form we all have a family member that is employed or working with Marine Atlantic, be it parents or brothers or sisters."

Strickland tookissue with the fact that the annual meeting is being held in St. John's.

He says histown is losing more and more jobs, even entire departments, to St. John's and North Sydney.

"I know of at least one position that was in Port aux Basques and that person left and moved to St. John's for a position," he said.

"We've had full departments moved, or parts of departments moved, to North Sydney and then it just followed bit by bit, almost depleting a total department in Port aux Basques."

When asked about Marine Atlantic's motivation for moving jobs out of the province, Strickland said that's something he hopedto get to the bottom of during the meeting.

Another concern, he said, is that the ferry terminalis isolated from the rest of the town.

• Marine Atlantic blocking passenger access to Port aux Basques, says councillor

Ferry users can no longer leave Marine Atlantic property once they check in, which takes revenue away from local restaurants and businesses.

"We understand there's different issues in the layout of the properties in Port aux Basques and North Sydney," he said.

"But we would just like Marine Atlantic to work with us to try and get a resolution. We really want to try to get something done so that the people waiting for the ferry can access the downtown and restaurants and stuff like that."

Strickland saidhe has no doubt this can be done, because the corporation recently spent upwards of $20million putting a new terminal in North Sydney.

"They have security guards there standing at their gate and they have full access downtown."

He saidMarine Atlantic sat down withthe previous council to work out a plan and hopeshe'll be able to bring some answers back to the people of Port aux Basques.