MP For North Island-Powell River Says Port Mcneil Wharf Has Been Closed For Too Long

The MP for North Island-Powell River is putting a push on the federal government on the closure of the wharf in Port McNeill.

Rachel Blaney says the wharf has been closed for too long with no information from the government on when it will be reopened, and no valid explanation for the long closure.

She made the comments in a letter to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans, and the Canadian Coast Guard.

In the letter, Blaney states the wharf has been closed since March 2022 due to repairs needed to two pilings - a repair Blaney says would take a day or so to complete.

She says the closure has become an urgent situation that is having a significant economic impact on the community.

Blaney further notes that the wharf is used by a range of vessels, including cruise ships, naval vessels, and boats needing repairs and provisions.

Since the closure of the wharf, such vessels have been turned away.  

Mayor James Furney says the federal government has been stonewalling repairs that should have been done long ago.

In a release, Blaney says that Port McNeill has reached out to the government for information on repairs, they have only been told an assessment was ongoing, but resources were taken up with Hurricane Fiona.