NDP MPs call on St. John's Harbour Authority to consider public access a priority


NDP MP’S CALL ON ST. JOHN’S HARBOUR AUTHORITY TO CONSIDER PUBLIC ACCESS A PRIORITY

OTTAWA – Both St. John’s area New Democrat Members of Parliament, Jack Harris (St. John’s East) and Ryan Cleary (St. John’s South – Mount Pearl) are asking the St. John’s Port Authority to reconsider the plan to block off access to the St. John’s Waterfront as part of new security arrangements. They believe that any security fence that permanently blocks access to the public is unnecessary and restrictive of public rights.

“The new permanent security fence, as planned, appears to be over-kill when it comes to actual security requirements,” said Harris. “We all agree that there are times when access might be denied because of a particular use of a part of the waterfront on a particular day or days, but the default position should be public access.”

“The Port Authority ought to engage the public in this process,” said Cleary. “When public access is threatened in this way, the public has a right to be fully informed of the requirements for security and given a chance to participate in finding a way to meet whatever requirements there are, while maximizing public access.”

The Port Authority says it needs this fence to meet security requirements. However it is already certified 100% compliant with International Security and Trade Regulations and according to its website has been an International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) certified port since 2004.


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For more information, please contact:
Heather Finn, Office of Jack Harris, MP, 613-355-9940 or jack.harris.a1@parl.gc.ca
Maria Glavine, Office of Ryan Cleary, MP, 709-693-8059 or ryan.cleary.a1@parl.gc.ca

 

 

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