MHA wants Marine Atlantic relocated

PORT AUX BASQUES, Nfld. — A provincial member of the legislature is calling on Transport Canada to relocate Crown Corporation Marine Atlantic’s headquarters from St. John’s to Port aux Basques.

According to the Corner Brook Western Star, Liberal MHA Kelvin Parsons wants the feds to act on last year’s advisory committee recommendation to move the ferry’s HQ to Port aux Basques — the gateway where the ferry sails off to North Sydney.

Parsons told the paper he’s concerned that Marine Atlantic’s board of directors will oppose the recommendation.

Parsons is calling on the transport minister to clarify government’s position on the relocation of Marine Atlantic’s headquarters.

In the fall of 2005, the feds announced they would not act on the advisory committee’s main — and most controversial — recommendation.

Despite its own committee’s suggestion that Marine Atlantic scrap drop trailer service to improve operations and efficiency, the government confirmed it would preserve the service under certain conditions.

While many regional owner-ops who rely on live load operations applauded the advisory committee proposal in May 2005, it was bitterly opposed by the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association and several unions.

— with files from the Western Star (Corner Brook)