Progress on Campobello Island Ferry issue

Premier Blaine Higgs, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Bill Oliver and New Brunswick Green Party leader David Coon met virtually on Monday morning with Campobello Mayor Brett Newman and the Chair of Accessible Campobello, Justin Tinker, to discuss the transportation issues affecting Campobello Island both in the short-term and long-term. The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the need for a year-round link to give islanders access to mainland New Brunswick without having to cross the US border.

"The conversation was certainly very amicable and there were some very good facts shared in relation to the island and its demographics," said Higgs about the meeting. According to a study done by Accessible Campobello, 86% of Island Residents feel a year-round ferry is "needed" or "very needed," a sentiment that's reflected in numbers. Campobello's population has decreased by approximately 33% over the past 20 years.

In a statement given to CHCO Tinker of Accessible Campobello, said: "After a very healthy discussion, the Premier stated an interest in and willingness to explore our innovative solution for a ferry link and we look forward to the Federal Government joining us at the table very soon."

Premier Higgs said that if a year-round ferry were to be realized, it needs to a partnership between the provincial and federal governments. "I think part of the infrastructure requirements that might be there for docking and such would be [federal]"

CHCO reached out to MP John Williamson of New Brunswick Southwest who sent us the following statement: "I've made it a priority to stand up for Campobello over the last six months by working to protect Canada Post mail delivery to the island, ensuring the Canada-U.S. border remains open to Campobello residents during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and I'll continue working with the provincial government and municipal representatives on year-round ferry service. The federal government finally opened the door in December to supporting ferry operations after I repeatedly raised the island's challenges in Parliament. I'll continue to press for action."

The All-Saints Anglican Church Women recognized the staff of the Passaquoddy Lodge in Saint Andrews for their hard work and dedication to their residents during the COVID-19 crisis by treating all three staff shifts to a special meal prepared by Lumberjacks. Archdeacon John Matheson was also on site to bless the meals. "The Anglican Church Women would like to honour all of the staff of Passamaquoddy Lodge for your strength and endurance during this difficult COVID-19 crisis," said Cathy Smith from the ACW.

Although New Brunswick businesses are slowly beginning to reopen, social distancing will be the new normal for quite some time. Fortunately, there are many innovators in Charlotte County finding creative new ways to reach their respective markets. Geoff Slater, Creative Director of KIRA, Kingsbrae International Residence for the Arts, is teaming up with KIRA's international alumni to offer creative tutorials online. Aptly called 'KIRA Creative Quarantine', the video series includes lessons that anyone can do at home, from drawing and sculpting to singing and writing, taught by artists from around the world. "What artists do is provide a synopsis of what they are going through where they are, and then they tell us how they are doing personally, and then they give us an art lesson anyone can do at home," said Slater.

Locally sourced delivery program Fundy Market is overcoming social distancing by bringing the concept of the farmers' market online. Launching in early May, FundyMarket.ca is quickly becoming a Charlotte County-based movement that connects local food producers and artisans to their market by filling products orders online and delivering baskets to doorsteps across Southwest New Brunswick. Founders Zoe Fitch and Heather Almeda were in the midst of plans to launch their own farmers' market in the St. Stephen when COVID-19 inspired them to quickly adapt their plans to meet the needs of the new normal. "With the advent of COVID-19, it ended up seeming like a business model that was really needed anywhere, let alone this area," said Fitch.