Sarnia-Lambton's Conservative MP appears to be fighting an upstream battle to get funding for the ice ravaged Bluewater Ferry at Sombra.
Marilyn Gladu raised the matter in Question Period in the House of Commons Wednesday afternoon.
"The ferry serves as a much-needed economic link between Canada and the US," says Gladu. "Now, businesses on both sides of the border are threatened with closure and constituents in my riding are extremely concerned. When will the Prime Minister take action and get this crossing back open?"
The response from Terry Beech, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, wasn't encouraging.
"I've agreed with the member opposite to meet with the mayor of the local community in the near future," says Beech. "I know that the other federal departments have been working to see if there's any way we can help. Unfortunately, the shipping lane that the Canadian icebreaker was on was nowhere near the ferry dock, and no link can be found between the damage to the ferry dock and the transit of the vessel."
The raised road leading to the Bluewater Ferry dock and Canada Customs office was destroyed by St. Clair River ice in January and $2.5-million is needed to replace it.
Sarnia's Helen Cole has set up a GoFundMe campaign to try to get the ferry service between Sombra and Marine City, Michigan re-established.
-With files from Dave Dentinger
