Another federal election is underway, and once again P.E.I. will be pushed to the side on the issue of the Confederation Bridge toll.
On Tuesday, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau defended his position on the 'no toll' Champlain Bridge by stating: "The Samuel de Champlain Bridge was a replacement bridge."
The argument has always been from Trudeau that there was never a toll on the Champlain Bridge. But that's not true – from 1962 until 1990 – the Champlain bridge did have a toll.
The Champlain Bridge price tag for construction was $4.2 billion, and by not charging a toll over the next 30 years, Ottawa will lose $3 billion in toll revenue.
OK, so the Liberal leader is playing good politics in Quebec to ensure he wins seats, but where does this leave P.E.I.?
It leaves a lot of P.E.I. wondering why the Liberal MPs believe it is OK to brush this issue to the side. The toll is only going up and going to make life here just that much more difficult.
Why these Liberal MPs think it is OK for our sick to have to request funding from a charity to get them to the mainland for the services they require is mind-blowing.
We have spent years debating on this fair toll policy, so I say its time for Islanders to start the process with the federal MPs by saying enough is enough.
We will be taken seriously on this issue and ensure that our sick do not have to pay a toll to get proper medical treatment no matter how much your income is.
So, when the candidates from all parties knock on your door, let them know we want the fair toll, but let's start by taking care of the sick who need to cross.
It's time for good politics and good policy in P.E.I., and we have an opportunity to make this happen this fall.
Tyler Macdonald,
Summerside
