Editor:
Why do costly feasibility studies for a road link when we have a potentially great ferry system already in place? Our ferries could be a much bigger tourist draw as well as necessary transportation. They are comfortable and attractive and our ferry route is second to none in the world for its breathtaking beauty. The problem is that the present ferry system is poorly managed, underfunded and too user costly. This can be remedied by de-privatizing it and making it part of the Trans Canada Highway system. Thousands have petitioned and protested for this, yet they are ignored by the government for a smaller minority lobbying for a road. This doesn’t make sense.
The road would bring jobs, some say. Maybe, but what about the hundreds of good ferry jobs that would be lost? These are real, now jobs with many families already established in the community. Truly the tourist draw to the Sunshine Coast is the charm of our small seaside towns and our pristine natural environment, which is slowly being eroded even so. Go off road and see the long-lasting logging devastation with little or no benefit to our community. We need to protect and conserve what we have for ourselves and for future generations. Mindless growth is not the answer and a road would bring more problems – i.e., higher taxes, possibly a toll, a longer more congested route, more crime and more water shortage, garbage, litter, etc. Build a road to Nirvana and you destroy Nirvana. Let’s debate this thoroughly and have a referendum. I vote no.
Richard McGowan, Halfmoon Bay
