Editor:
A recent letter to your newspaper, from Buzz Bennett of Gibsons, castigated fixed link proponents for their paucity of evidence concerning economic benefits from said road development (“Coast wants ferries fixed,” Nov. 18).
Contrary to his assertions, I’d suggest the evidence for economic benefit in the wake of upgraded transport is legion, so abundant, in fact, that it should be obvious. That not being the case here, I’d direct Mr. Bennett to any one of a myriad economic papers, texts and studies concluding that transport improvements invariably contribute to greater long-term economic growth. He might want to start by reading The Geography of Transport Systems by professors Jean-Paul Rodrigue, Claude Comtois and Brian Slack. Mr. Bennett could pick up chapter seven, “Transportation and Economic Development,” wherein the professors provide detailed discussion on the economic effects of transportation development. To quote, “A relation between the quantity and quality of transport infrastructure and the level of economic development is apparent.”
Numerous other sources on the matter are available, but perhaps a quote from the Conference Board of Canada’s transportation discussion page says it best: “Transportation networks are the foundation that supports regional and national competitiveness. They are a key factor in the success of labour markets, facilitating the flow of goods and allowing businesses to operate more efficiently and effectively.”
Ask yourself, Mr. Bennett, is our Sunshine Coast job market successful? Do we see a vibrant flow of business investment? The answer is no to each of those questions as evidenced by the piteous level of business taxation flowing to our local governments and the dearth of good paying jobs, outside the public sector.
I’d like to turn the tables on Mr. Bennett and demand evidence as to how a continuously cost inflating ferry system can ameliorate this untenable situation.
Andrew Amanovich, Gibsons
