Transport committee  We filed an application with the federal government under the national trade corridors fund for an expression of interest submission to have the major obstacle in our harbour, Vardys Island, removed. Unfortunately, our application was turned down. It was turned down because we didn't have a Crown corporation partner when actually our co-partner in that was Marine Atlantic Inc.

Transport committee  No, not really. I just feel it's unjustified that I have to pay an extra 18% to get on a ship to go across 96 miles. That to me is insulting as a Canadian. It's not a message to Ms. Hutchings. We've had the discussions and when I have to pay that and plus pay for my fuel at 18% I'm insulted.

Transport committee  No, not as of late, we haven't met to discuss that. We've never had any meetings about the circle route. We have a great circle route now for tourists coming to the island, going through the Argentia, which is non-constitutional, which the federal government offers. It allows people to come in to the island and come back through the island.

Transport committee  Oh, you'll get me going here.

Transport committee  I'm excited about the new board. It's good representation from people who know the issues on both sides of the Gulf—Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. There are people who understand. I was a former schoolteacher and there are people I taught in my school. It's a good working committee.

Transport committee  Yes. Mr. Hupman owns a house just up the street from me, so that's nice to hear, too. It's been good news from that particular venue. Thank you very much.

Transport committee  Yes. Since 2016, Marine Atlantic's trip cancellations have risen by 51%. This past fall and winter, they cancelled 202 crossings. We saw winds like we have never seen. We have a big issue in our harbour; we have an island right in the middle of the harbour. We had a study done. We're looking for funding.

Transport committee  Thank you very much for inviting me. I want to pass things over to my colleague, councillor Jim Lane, but before I do, I'd like to thank the federal government for solving the capacity problems that we had with the Gulf ferry service in the 1990s. We now have that issue solved. I also want to thank the federal government for the announcement of a new ship.