Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones is asking Transportation and Works Minister Trevor Taylor to provide assistance for residents of Williams Harbour who are stranded due to dangerous ice conditions in the area. Jones has spoken to the minister and requested a subsidy for residents to use air travel to obtain goods and services outside the community.

The warm temperatures in the area this year have prevented the ice from forming which allows residents the option of traveling over the ice by snowmobile. The slob ice conditions are also too dangerous for boat travel.  The current commercial air service can cost up to $180 for a one way flight to Port Hope Simpson which is less than ten minutes by air.

“The weather conditions in the area this year are playing havoc with people’s lives,” said Ms. Jones. “I spoke to Minister Taylor and asked that a subsidy be put in place to help people get to the mainland and have access to essential goods and services. This would only be a temporary measure until the ice freezes and traditional methods of transportation can be used once again.