Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to explore a little more an issue I brought up on April 22 about a lighthouse in Wallace, Nova Scotia on the Northumberland Strait.
First of all, I would like to describe the harbour at Wallace. It is a long harbour leading in from the Northumberland Strait to the wharf at Wallace. For decades there has been a lighthouse there that has been the guiding light for fishermen, commercial vessels, and recreational vessels to return to the wharf in all kinds of weather.
Recently, the Coast Guard has suggested that it will not replace the light bulb in the lighthouse. It has several suggestions of replacing it with lighted buoys, less bright lights or whatever. We feel that this lighthouse light is essential. It is a matter of life and death in certain circumstances. It should not be compromised for the sake of a few dollars.
The fishermen who are dealing with this situation every day and use this light hear about all kinds of expenditures that are made by the government. They hear them every day on television with regard to ad scam that the Liberals have been operating mostly in the province of Quebec. The fishermen wonder if the government can afford to spend all this money, why can it not afford a light bulb for a lighthouse that could save lives?
I noticed this week that the Liberals announced $1.25 million for a farmers market in Moncton, if I am not mistaken. I am sure it is a worthwhile enterprise. How can a farmers market be compared with a lighthouse that could save lives in the event of foul weather?
The light can be seen from 17 miles away. It can almost be seen from Prince Edward Island. We want Prince Edward Island to see us. For decades the purpose of this light was to help mariners come into the harbour. Cumberland County Councillor Gerald Langille said recently, “Many fishermen are becoming concerned with what we are going to be left with. The powerful light we have is visible when it's most important, in relatively poor weather. When the weather is fine and all our navigation equipment is working, the lighthouse is a mere inconvenience, but when things go bad, it has always been there and it has given us a strong sense of security. Why should it be downgraded at the expense of our safety?
This is such an important issue. This is not a convenience issue. It is not something that maybe will enhance the community or something that is optional. This is a safety issue. It is life and death. It is how the fishermen find their port. It is how the fishermen find their way back to the wharf.
I would like the Liberal government to confirm today that it is going to replace that lighthouse bulb. The lighthouse bulb will last 15 years. It costs $87,000. It is an expensive light bulb and I will grant them that. However, it lasts 15 years.
The question is, how many lives will it save? Anyone who has boated on the Northumberland Strait knows how fast the wind comes come up, how rough the water can be, and how strong the currents are. This lighthouse is absolutely critical.
I ask the parliamentary secretary tonight if he will advise us if the lighthouse will be maintained at its current strength, so that Wallace can maintain its safety and also go ahead with plans to attract more commercial vessels to the harbour. Perhaps Wallace can then build a marina and expand the harbour.