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Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
‘A unicorn': Historic Newcastle estate home set to hit the market this month
The former home of Samuel Wilmot, a critical figure in Clarington history, may stand for another 200 years thanks to a recent restoration. Wilmot's interest in the local salmon population and subsequent experiments helped to save the salmon in the early 1900s. His family home, Belmont House, located at 145 Belmont Dr. in Newcastle, was recently restored as part of larger development surrounding it. 'This is a really important story for this community,' said Matthew Jamieson, president of Manorville Homes, which completed the renovation. 'If not for this house, a lot of that story would have been lost. That's the thing about heritage homes, every home is different, and every home has a story, and with what we've done here, this one will probably last another 200 years.' The Belmont was built by Wilmot's father, Samuel Street Wilmot, in 1815/1816, but burned down in 1896, when it was replaced with the brick structure seen today. A respected major in the War of 1812, the elder Wilmot went on to become the first deputy surveyor of Upper Canada and served as a member in the House of Assembly. Samuel Wilmot Jr., took over the home and farm after the death of his father in 1856 and rose to prominence for his work to reverse the decline of salmon stocks locally and across the province. In 1868, he constructed the first fish hatchery in Upper Canada beside the Belmont property. He later became superintendent of fish culture in Canada and went on to oversee the establishment of 15 more fish hatcheries. The Belmont project is unique for Manorville, which specializes in heritage restorations, given the size of the home and its wealth of historical value. At more than 7,000 square feet plus a three-car garage, the home is significantly larger than the average heritage home and its history required extensive research to ensure renovations and restorations were done correctly. Newcastle's historic Belmont House has been completely renovated and restored and is set to hit the market later this month. 'Just because a house is old doesn't mean it has heritage, but this house has both. This would be a unicorn because, typically, old homes don't have this much provenance,' said J.J. MacLellan, senior project manager for the rebuild, noting the team conducted extensive research into the house and family over the course of the project, which began in 2019, but stalled through COVID. 'We spent four months going backward on this project before we could even start moving forward,' MacLellan said, noting it still required several years of behind the scenes administrative work before shovels could get in the ground. 'Only then did we start developing a game plan for putting it back together. We knew what we wanted at the end, but it was about 'how do we get there?'' When physical work at the site began in 2023, some of the unique elements slated for protection, such as the front bay window and unique front door, were falling apart. Newcastle's historic Belmont House has been completely renovated and restored and is set to hit the market later this month. 'There was a lot of vandalism,' MacLellan said of the state of the house. The decline was especially bad in the back portion of the home, which was a later addition to the original structure. Crews ended up having to disassemble and rebuild that portion of the home. 'It hadn't been built to the same standard as the original house because it was an add-on, so we redid the foundation and painstakingly rebuilt it to the original specs,' MacLellan explained. 'Each brick was taken apart, cleaned and then used to rebuild it.' Throughout the home crews rebuilt using as many original materials as could be salvaged, which included sanding and refinishing the original hardwood floors. Newcastle's historic Belmont House has been completely renovated and restored and is set to hit the market later this month. The home now boasts four bedrooms plus basement bedroom, four full baths and two half baths, a finished loft and basement, wine room and more, on a 1.65 acre lot. 'The front half really didn't change a lot,' MacLellan explained. 'We rebuilt everything to the same footprint.' The project required in-depth research on the home, with very little information on the original wooden structure available aside from a hand-drawn illustration and one family photo from shortly before the home burned. MacLellan was able to learn more about the brick home that replaced the original through letters, photos and even a conversation with Wilmot's great-great-granddaughter, who connected the dots on one of the home's mysteries. Newcastle's historic Belmont House has been completely renovated and restored and is set to hit the market later this month. 'We had to add a second furnace because the house was just too big for one and it would have been absolutely freezing when it was built, very unevenly heated,' said MacLellan. 'I thought that was strange until I was talking to her and she mentioned the family didn't actually live in the home in winter — they had a home in town they moved to during the colder months.' Several unique elements of the structure were mandated for preservation under the home's heritage designation. These included a back-to-back corner fireplace, the distinctive front door, front brick facade and exterior trim facade including porches, millwork and shutters, the main staircase, kitchen pantry with original dumb waiter, brick arches in the basement and a cistern that Wilmot used for his fishery experiments, among others. 'This is where he drove the water for his early fish experiments,' MacLellan said of the concrete cistern, which is in the home's basement, along with unique brick support arches. Newcastle's historic Belmont House has been completely renovated and restored and is set to hit the market later this month. 'These were original to the 1815 construction and we have evidence the bricks used in these arches were made right here in the basement,' said MacLellan. He pointed to pieces of a possible kiln that were recovered during the project, along with a plethora of odds and ends including tools, pieces of pottery and a wealth of glass, much of which is now displayed in the home's wine room. Newcastle's historic Belmont House has been completely renovated and restored and is set to hit the market later this month. The home's distinctive basement arches were one of the elements protected for preservation within the home's heritage designation. 'The wine room originally housed a large furnace, and we thought 'what could we use this room for?'' MacLellan said of the space, which is nestled in one of the brick arches and features ceiling, cabinetry and floorboards made from reclaimed wood salvaged from the home. Now complete, the Belmont House marks a milestone for Jamieson, MacLellan and Manorville, as it gets set to hit the market July 23. 'This is huge, it's very rare that you get a 9,000 square foot heritage structure, so this is definitely a larger scale for us,' said Jamieson. 'It is kind of sad because we've been working on this for so long, I mean J.J has spent practically every day here for more than two years.' A collection of artifacts found during the restoration of Newcastle's historic Belmont House. For MacLellan, the end is bittersweet 'It's not about what we've done, to me it's about the discovery process and finding out everything about the home and its history,' he said. 'Now we move on to the next home and the next exciting story.' It may be the end of the story for Manorville, and current owners Hannu Halminen and Brian Fenton, but the story is just beginning for someone else, with the home scheduled to hit the market July 23 with an asking price of $3.5 million. Co-listing agents Theresa Gibson and Chris Owens say the house is one of a kind, offering a brand-new build inside a heritage frame, on a large lot complete with gated driveway and in a subdivision close to amenities. 'The Belmont House represents a unique opportunity to own a 200-plus year old home with all the modern amenities and conveniences of a brand new build,' said Owens. 'This goes way beyond restoration, it's essentially been rebuilt to a heritage standard. The Belmont House is a house like no other, and the lucky buyer won't just be purchasing a suite of rooms but will become the custodians of a piece of iconic history.' Owens said the home is a great value, with 23 homes currently available in the same price range across Durham. 'We think we're a terrific value in the current market,' Owens said. 'This is a wonderful house, it's one of a kind and a real icon for Newcastle.' For more information visit . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
AU Financial Review
4 days ago
- Politics
- AU Financial Review
Another hung parliament solves nothing about Tassie's dire budget
With just under two-thirds of the vote counted, Tasmanians appear to have elected a parliament very similar to the one that they elected just 16 months ago. Despite a 3 percentage point primary vote swing towards them, the Liberals seem unlikely to improve on the 14 seats they held in the previous parliament, leaving them four short of a majority on the floor of the House of Assembly. Labor, which suffered a 3 percentage point primary swing against it, may lose one seat, leaving it with nine. The Greens have held on to their five seats, while it is possible that there will be five independents, one more than in the previous parliament.
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Sad day' as state faces fourth election in seven years
Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk. Tasmanians are set to return to the polls with Premier Jeremy Rockliff confirming he will seek an election after losing a no-confidence motion. The Liberal leader's grip on power was lost after a marathon two-day debate in parliament finished on Thursday afternoon. The motion brought by Opposition Leader Dean Winter passed by the barest margin, with Labor speaker Michelle O'Byrne casting a deciding vote. With Governor Barbara Baker absent, Mr Rockliff spoke with her lieutenant, Christopher Shanahan, before announcing he would reconvene parliament on Tuesday to pass an emergency funding bill for public servants' wages. "It's at that point, when the bills go through both houses of parliament, that I will seek an audience with Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania, to call an election," he told reporters outside Government House. "But my most highest priority right now is to ensure that we continue to fund our essential services that all Tasmanians need, deserve and care about." In a speech following the vote, an emotional Mr Rockliff said it was a "sad day". "What we have in this parliament, as I've said over the course of the last 14 months, is an eclectic mix of people from all backgrounds, which is how parliament should be, in actual fact," he told the House of Assembly. "And I wanted it to work. I believed in it and I actually still do. "We've got most of our agenda through simply because of our negotiations between each other. And that's why I'm so disappointed, if not broken-hearted, frankly." Mr Winter brought the no-confidence motion following the Liberal minority government's budget, winning the support of the Greens and three crossbenchers for an 18-17 vote. Liberal MPs yelled out "weak" as the house divided for the vote. Mr Rockliff, premier since 2022, conceded the numbers were against him but vowed to "fight to his last breath" and not resign. He said Tasmania did not want and could not afford its fourth state election in seven years. "Be that on Mr Winter's head. This has been a selfish grab for power. I have a lot more fight in me," he said. "The only job Mr Winter is interested in is mine. And I am not going anywhere." Mr Winter, opposition leader since Labor's loss in 2024, said Tasmanians wanted to see the end of Mr Rockliff and the Liberals, who have governed under three different premiers since 2014. The 40-year-old brought the no-confidence motion following last week's budget, which forecasted deficits through the forward estimates and a debt blowout beyond $10 billion. "We are ready for an election," he said, flanked by his caucus outside a substation in Mt Wellington's foothills, a site chosen to press home arguments against privatisation. "We will not stand by and let this premier wreck our budget and sell the assets that Tasmanians have built." During the debate, Labor also lashed Mr Rockliff for delays and cost blowouts to the delivery of two new Bass Strait ferries. Mr Rockliff called the motion "a selfish grab for power" but Mr Winter pushed back against claims of an opportunistic powerplay "The premier did confidence and supply agreements with the crossbench when he became premier ... and it was up to him to hold those agreements together," he said. "He couldn't do it. Those agreements have fallen apart." Tasmania went to the polls just 15 months ago in an election which returned the Liberals to power in minority with just 14 of 35 seats in the lower house. Some crossbenchers and the Greens have gripes with a new $945 million stadium in Hobart, a condition of the Tasmania Devils entering the AFL in 2028. Labor supports the team and a stadium, a position it reiterated on Wednesday in writing to the AFL. But the Devils fear an early election would delay the stadium project and put the club's licence at risk.
Hamilton Spectator
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Fogo and Change Islands residents want answers for when MV Veteran will return
The MV Veteran ferry has been out of service to be refitted for a new engine since Jan. 28, 2025, and discontent is growing among islanders on Fogo and Change Islands as they continue to wait for its return. The MV Astron and MV Kamutik W are currently servicing the run, but as the end of May nears, the Kamutik will have to return to Labrador. Both Fogo and Change Islands experience major population increases during the summer months when seasonal visitors make their return. It won't be long before the tourism season is in full swing, and many businesses on both islands — not to mention the fishery — rely on their summer income to sustain themselves during the off season. The lack of updates and information on when the Veteran is expected to return has left many residents feeling frustrated and worried. The Fogo Island ferry users committee (FIFU) has been doing everything it can to reach out and get some kind of response. PC MHA Jim McKenna has brought these concerns to the House of Assembly and questioned Transportation Minister Elvis Loveless, and was told that a response would be imminent in the next week or so. However, that's not good enough for residents who are continuing to wait anxiously over what the decision will be. 'Our tourism is pretty much here,' explained Jarrod Oglan, FIFU chair. 'People are starting to come and go as is, and we're seeing a big increase in the number of trailer campers that are coming, as well as the big motorhome RVs. Those are taking up a bunch of space on the boat as is, and there's the fishery in full swing, so that's causing a lot of traffic.' Without a reliable, adequate boat, there's no way that the system can operate properly, he added. The ferry must be large enough to handle tractor-trailers and RVs, as well as the fishermen who are going back and forth with their equipment and their boats, Oglan said. When there's insufficient space onboard, a tractor-trailer or RV can take up the space of multiple cars, bumping off individuals who may be trying to make important appointments. The co-op is also going to have products coming and going that will need to be prioritized. 'Lobsters going off the island, crab coming on the island, and just sales in general of the product that needs to get from one place to another,' he said. 'There's people that normally would sell to the co-op that have not done so this year because of the ferry situation. There's a lot of residents here who have rental properties who have seen a decline in their reservations or flat-out cancellation because of the ferry situation.' Shirlene MacArthur, an annual visitor to Fogo Island, has said that this year may be her last. MacArthur's husband is from Tilting on Fogo, and they began visiting the island together about a decade ago when her daughter bought an investment property in Joe Batt's Arm that they later named Blue Haven. 'She doesn't come out too often, but we go out every summer,' she explained. 'I think the only summer we missed was during COVID.' Living in Alberta has made the annual summer trip already fairly arduous. But, over the years, MacArthur explained that the unreliability of the ferry service has only worsened and made their travels that much more complicated. 'The only problem we ever expected to encounter was volume, that there was so much traffic in the summer that we may not get out on the boat,' she said. 'But we never, ever had the problem that the boat wouldn't be running.' There was a time when both MacArthur and her husband thought they would retire to the island, but with the constant inconsistencies and lack of communication with the ferry system, it just seems too risky. MacArthur is already fully retired and her husband is semi-retired. With existing health concerns, she said it just doesn't seem safe enough. 'I guess we're bound for Alberta forever,' she said. While in the past they have encouraged everyone they know to make the trip out to Fogo and experience its beauty for themselves, they feel much less inclined to do so now. When talking about it now, they warn of the potential complications and delays. 'We've promoted the island for years,' she said. 'We've had friends from all over put it on their schedule for vacation and come and visit. 'We have friends coming from Ireland, but this, to be honest, is the last year we're suggesting it.' This exact response is what seasonal workers on the island are fearing the most. McKenna said annual visitors have been deciding not to make the trip out for a couple of years now because of the ferry system. 'At this time of year, this is when people in this area make their living. We're a community of fishermen and seasonal workers, and we rely on tourists. We rely on a ferry that can get people here, get product here and off the island in the summertime,' Oglan added. 'It is vital that it runs properly, and if it can't, then we have a situation where it's affecting our economy. And the thing is, it's more than just a transportation issue. It's an economic issue.' In a worst-case scenario, if the Veteran is not returned to the run for the tourism season, there is going to be a lot of lost revenue, said Oglan. 'It's going to look like a major blow to our economy and a real setback for the island — not just for now, but for years to come,' he said. 'Because you're going to have a lot of tourists and a lot of businesses that are not going to want to deal with Fogo Island because of the fact that there's so much uncertainty based around the ferry that it's impossible for them to actually either properly make their business happen or logistically for tourists to be able to come out here and visit and help boost our economy.' He hopes to hear in the next week or so from the transportation department that the Veteran will return, but more than anything, they simply want an answer. To help alleviate some of the lack of communication, McKenna has suggested a shore-based manager as a potential solution. While Oglan agrees that someone in such a position could be beneficial, it will depend on whether they're given the power to actually make decisions. Change Islands Mayor Paula Flood is more focused on the need for new infrastructure and resources, rather than a shore-based manager. 'It's kind of hard to have a shore-based manager for two islands unless you're going to put one on each one. I don't see the need. The Department of TI is very responsive to concerns and issues. The issue is docking and need for infrastructure upgrades. That's the only thing to fix the situation,' she said. 'They don't have sufficient boats and swing vessels when another boat is being serviced or down, they don't have suitable boats for the run. And let me preface that, it's not really the boat's problem. We don't have a breakwater here in Change Islands. They have a breakwater over in Fogo. So the issue is the wind when they're docking. If we had a breakwater, the boats would be able to dock.' Residents on both islands understand that they have chosen to live in communities that are dependent on weather and ferries, she said. However, the boats that are currently on contract simply are not suitable for the run. 'We need boats that are suitable for the Fogo-Change Islands run, ones that can run in high winds,' she said. 'That's our problem. We've never had so many days where the boat never sailed, as in the past two years. It's been unreal. Sometimes there's two and three days in a row when there's no boat. 'People say, 'Oh, what are you living on an island for?' We all live on an island. You live on an island in Newfoundland. If you want to get off, you have to get on a ferry or plane. So we all are equal in that sense. It's just that there could be improvements made.' Being left without answers is only further exacerbating the existing frustrations among locals. As of May 13, the department had said that pack ice along the north coast of Labrador is preventing the MV Kamutik W from operating at this time. It promised an update on all provincial ferry allocations will be available in the coming weeks. In terms of infrastructure repairs, they added that 'The department regularly reviews ferry operations throughout the province, including an assessment of upgrades needed for any of its wharf structures. This assessment is currently underway and an update will be provided once a final decision has been made. 'Safety is paramount and must always be at the forefront of the operation of our ferry services. Ferry users are reminded to check the ferry schedule via the NL511 mobile app, or call 511.' More recently, the department has re-emphasized that 'decisions on the allocation of ferries throughout the province very near future.' When those decisions will be announced is still unknown. Nevertheless, McKenna is hoping a response will be given soon. 'I'm optimistic there's going to be a response,' he said. 'But what that response is, is what we're all concerned about.' Anasophie Vallee is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Indigenous and rural issues.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Former premier Andrew Furey MIA from HOA
The only thing that's been in Andrew Furey's House of Assembly seat over the last two weeks is Lucy Stoyles's handbag. Since the House reopened for the latest sitting, the former premier and member for Humber-Gros Morne is the only MHA who has been absent from the entire session. Andrew Furey stepped down as premier earlier this month but has not resigned as MHA, meaning he still continues to collect the $95,000 a year salary. Furey hasn't been in the house since May 9, when John Hogan took over the job. "While he was available if required, he requested and was granted leave by the caucus whip," Diane Randell, who handles communications for the Liberal caucus, told CBC News when asked why Furey wasn't in the house. She didn't provide any details about the reason he's not in the house. Before stepping down, Furey told reporters that he had operating time booked at the Health Sciences Centre after he was no longer premier. Furey was an orthopedic surgeon before entering politics and said he planned to return to that full-time after leaving politics Furey risks fines for absence The House of Assembly Accountability, Integrity and Administration act requires MHAs to attend every day the house is open, unless they have a valid reason. That includes illness, a death in the family, or to attend to constituency business. WATCH | Furey's absence could be costly: Andrew Furey not seen in legislature since he was replaced as N.L. premier 2 hours ago Duration 2:17 For the last two weeks, one MHA has been missing from the House of Assembly: Andrew Furey. He may no longer be premier, but he's still the MHA for Humber-Gros Morne. As the CBC's Peter Cowan reports, Furey's absence could be costly. The speaker can also grant an MHA leave, but a spokesperson for the speaker's office says so far they haven't received a request from Furey. If the absence isn't authorized then $200 for every day they're not in the house is deducted from a member's pay Furey's absence raises concerns: PCs Progressive Conservative MHA Barry Petten was surprised not to see Furey in the house. He was premier when the budget was introduced in April, but he wasn't there when MHAs voted to pass the budget late on May 14. "If you're an MHA there's a responsibility to get approved leave, notify the speaker your dealings. Nobody is saying you can't do the surgeries but you still have to look after your district," said Petten. Petten questioned whether Furey's constituents are getting the representation they deserve, and whether Furey is still making trips to his district. "If he's not he definitely should resign because he's not doing anyone any favours. Otherwise he's collecting an MHA's salary while he's over practicing medicine." The $95,000 a year salary is significantly less than what he earned as a surgeon. Public records show Furey billed $731,564.26 for his medical work in 2018-19 before he entered politics. If Furey does resign it wouldn't require a byelection, because it's within six months of the fixed elections date, which will take place on or before October 14. Resigning now could mean losing out on pension In order to be eligible for a pension after leaving politics, a member has to be elected twice, which Furey has, but the rules also say they have to be an MHA for at least 5 years. Furey became premier in August 2020, but wasn't elected as an MHA until October 2020, meaning he's likely several months short. CBC News asked the government about when exactly Furey would be eligible for a pension and spokesperson David Sorensen wouldn't provide a date, only quoting the rules which say five years. The size of his pension would likely not be very large, based on his relatively short service. The legislation says MHAs and ministers, which includes the premier, earn 2 per cent of their salary per year, so if he reaches five years of service CBC News calculated that his pension would likely be around $16,000 a year. Sorensen wouldn't confirm that calculation is accurate saying because he hasn't left "a calculation of his potential pension is not possible at this time."
