Mr. Speaker, on January 28, the Minister of Transport announced that construction of a temporary facility at the Escoumins wharf will begin next April. After many representations by local stakeholders, the Minister of Transport Canada and the minister responsible for Quebec have decided to listen.
This investment will allow the Compagnie de navigation des Basques to provide ferry service between Les Escoumins and Trois-Pistoles this summer. This is great news for the North Shore and Lower St. Lawrence River tourism industry.
The Minister of Transport and his department know how important this ferry service is and are working to find a long-term solution to make port facilities in Les Escoumins safe.
Thanks to this construction, the Compagnie de navigation des Basques can provide services to the local population and to tourists visiting these magnificent areas of Quebec.