The Green Party of P.E.I. is calling on the province to abandon plans to build a highway through Strathgartney Provincial Park.
Party leader Sharon Labchuk says the province released maps and other information Thursday confirming the route for the controversial “re-alignment” of the Trans Canada highway “will plough right through the popular natural area, splitting the park in two.’’
However, a spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal stresses any plans for realignment of the highway running through Churchill is only in the proposal stage.
Public information sessions are being held Tuesday and Thursday to discuss proposed highway realignment projects for Churchill, Crapaud and Tryon.
“The department very much encourages people to come to the public information sessions to familiarize themselves with the projects and then provide input to the province based on the information they’ve seen on the proposed projects,’’ the spokesperson said.
The session Tuesday runs 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at the Dutch Inn in Cornwall at 100 Trans Canada Highway. Thursday’s session runs 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. in Crapaud Hall.
Labchuk, meanwhile, is reacting like the proposal is a done deal.
“I’m in shock,” she said.
“We expect the worst from this government when it comes to protecting the environment but there is so much public opposition to destroying this much-loved sanctuary, I thought the premier would realize this is a battle he cannot win.’’
Labchuk says the land is held in trust by government for the people of P.E.I. and is protected by law as a natural area.
The Green Party launched a petition during the provincial election last month to save Strathgartney Provincial Park. The online petition has 840 names. Several hundred people have also signed the paper version of the petition.
“The online petition is public and I would be very surprised if government has not looked at it and the passionate comments people have left,” said Labchuk.
“And still, the premier announces this highway project without even holding public meetings. He is showing just the most appalling disrespect for Islanders.”
Labchuk says the Province’s open house next week, where people can visit information booths about the highway construction, is a sham and an insult to everyone who knows and loves Strathgartney Provincial Park.
“The premier should have held public meetings before he started spending taxpayer dollars on this,” said Labchuk.
“This make work project will cost Canadian and Island taxpayers millions of dollars.’’
Labchuk is organizing a rally at Province House on Tuesday at 12:15 pm with speakers from various groups, including the Island Nature Trust and the Natural History Society, and has invited the premier to attend and accept the petition.
This is not about saving lives. It is about the Ghiz government accessing federal funds for a born on PEI Liberal make-work-project. The 32 accidents outlined in the government's public sales pitch are not 32 fatal accidents. Futhermore, a full 1/3 of these accidents occurred in Bonshaw, which is on the fringe of this project. The problem is not the shape of the road, it's the speed of the traffic on it. And just how many accidents have occurred on the section between Churchill and New Haven? Or Bonshaw and Desable? The focus here is the Bonshaw hill, and I'd like to know which specific Liberal (or group of Liberals) stands to benefit from this ridiculous project.