Dear Mayor Jakeway and Council:
I am writing in response to the BC Governments decision to reduce some scheduled sailings on some ferry routes. The ferry to and from Quadra is essentially a continuation of the BC road (Highway) system. This would the same as shutting down any road between communities throughout BC from 9 PM until 6:15 AM. Quadra Island residents work, go to school, attend cultural events, shop and are involved in sports activities in Campbell River. Hospital staff from Quadra who need to work shifts, get called in for for emergencies and are needed to work overtime to adequately staff the Campbell River Hospital would be greatly impacted as they will also not be able to get to the hospital or get home from later work.
There are also Campbell River residents who work on Quadra. For example, a large number of employees at Walcan are Campbell River residents and will be restricted to hours they can work if the ferry stops sailing so early. They also depend on the ferries to move their products.
I would hope that the mayor and all the council will speak out about this situation happening and support our communities that need the ferry service.
Margret Montgomery