In 2013, three representatives, NDP MP Olivia Chow, NDP MP Carol
Hughes, and NDP MPP Mike Mantha, all brought up the delayed start to the season
in their respective parliaments. They also met with other government officials
about the issue. Below is an update that was sent by Carol Hughes, NDP MP, to anyone who contacted her with concerns about the dropping water levels and the delay of the Chi Cheemaun running in 2013:
May 10, 2013
Dear friends,
I want to take the opportunity to contact everyone who has been in touch with me about the Chi Cheemaun to share the latest developments.
As many of you will know the province did agree to pay for the work at both Transport Canada terminals while maintaining this was in no way an admission of responsibility for the port facility.
This week, I asked the Minister of Transport in question period if he would make certain that any bureaucratic formalities would be expedited. Incredibly, I received a partisan answer in response.
Only today (Friday May 10th), did I learn that the process that will lead to the work being completed will begin tomorrow.
The project is being coordinated by the Owen Sound Transportation Company who expect it to take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. An engineering firm has been retained to design the bumpers, tender the contract, and navigate the regulatory processes. I am told this is the quickest option available.
With any luck, the work will go smoothly and be completed ahead of schedule.
In the meantime, many of those who contacted me are among the tourist-based, small businesses that I have been advocating on behalf of through this entire process. With that in mind, I would appreciate you remaining in touch and sharing your experiences - especially how the delay is affecting your effort to make a living and employ people in your community. That will allow me to keep the impact of the government’s inaction as part of the dialogue in the House of Commons.
I am truly concerned that the problems we have seen for the Chi Cheemaun are merely the tip of the iceberg. There is much work to be done to help communities, businesses, and individuals adapt to the challenges presented by low water levels. I have already brought that to the government’s attention and will continue to do so.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, the environmental concerns related to this phenomenon must also enter the public dialogue. The recent IJC report focussed on adaptive management and noted that some items such as structures to mitigate the flow of Lake Huron into the St. Clair River could be used to help better manage lake levels. I have been fortunate to work with the individuals who spearheaded the Manitoulin Low Water Petition and have spoken to the issue many times in the House of Commons as a result of their good work.
I remain committed to working with groups and individuals to promote these related issues and look forward to hearing from you again.
Sincerely,
Carol Hughes, MP
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
Dear friends,
I want to take the opportunity to contact everyone who has been in touch with me about the Chi Cheemaun to share the latest developments.
As many of you will know the province did agree to pay for the work at both Transport Canada terminals while maintaining this was in no way an admission of responsibility for the port facility.
This week, I asked the Minister of Transport in question period if he would make certain that any bureaucratic formalities would be expedited. Incredibly, I received a partisan answer in response.
Only today (Friday May 10th), did I learn that the process that will lead to the work being completed will begin tomorrow.
The project is being coordinated by the Owen Sound Transportation Company who expect it to take 6 to 8 weeks to complete. An engineering firm has been retained to design the bumpers, tender the contract, and navigate the regulatory processes. I am told this is the quickest option available.
With any luck, the work will go smoothly and be completed ahead of schedule.
In the meantime, many of those who contacted me are among the tourist-based, small businesses that I have been advocating on behalf of through this entire process. With that in mind, I would appreciate you remaining in touch and sharing your experiences - especially how the delay is affecting your effort to make a living and employ people in your community. That will allow me to keep the impact of the government’s inaction as part of the dialogue in the House of Commons.
I am truly concerned that the problems we have seen for the Chi Cheemaun are merely the tip of the iceberg. There is much work to be done to help communities, businesses, and individuals adapt to the challenges presented by low water levels. I have already brought that to the government’s attention and will continue to do so.
In addition to infrastructure challenges, the environmental concerns related to this phenomenon must also enter the public dialogue. The recent IJC report focussed on adaptive management and noted that some items such as structures to mitigate the flow of Lake Huron into the St. Clair River could be used to help better manage lake levels. I have been fortunate to work with the individuals who spearheaded the Manitoulin Low Water Petition and have spoken to the issue many times in the House of Commons as a result of their good work.
I remain committed to working with groups and individuals to promote these related issues and look forward to hearing from you again.
Sincerely,
Carol Hughes, MP
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing
