Legislative Assembly

Now, Mr. Speaker, the government tells us now in this document that negotiat- ions are proceeding. I think the people of the province are entitled to know after eight months just what action the Federal Government intends to take to maintain contin- uous operation of the ferries between Borden and Tormentine such that this will not

again occur.

On another matter of transportation and this affecting the Second District of Prince, which I have the honour to represent. On March 16th I laced a Question on the Order Paper, directed to the Premier, reading as follows: “ hat steps has the Government taken to urge upon the Federal Government the need for a permanent link between Port Hill and Lennox Island to ut an end to deaths by drowning of Indians and others attempting the crossing w en, due to ice conditions, the ferry can- not operate.” I had a reply to that uestnon from the Premier and I hope that he is listening to me. The reply was that t e matter has been referred to and taken up with Mr. Hendricks, I think the name is, in Ottawa.

Now I am not sure whether the people of this province are aware that an aver- age of one erson every year dies attempting to make that half mile crossing between the Indian eservation on Lennox Island and Port Hill on the mainland. One person every year on an average. This is a serious matter. It occurs when the need presumably exists for a person to cross at a time when the ice is unsafe and we are getting close to such a time now, because the ice will be going out soon, we hope. This situation has to be remedied. Representations have been made to the Federal Government to provide a causeway for the Indians on Lennox Island, and the government has contended that three hundred thousand dollars, the estimated cost of the causeway, is excessive, is prohibitive for the people over there. Now they number at the present moment 192 souls including some 42 children. The thing is of course, and I realize it. that the In- dians are wards of the Federal Government, but the Provincial Government too has a responsibility in this matter and if the Federal Government is still considering some- thing in the nature of a link between Port Hill and the mainland they might consider a Hovercraft service, a Hovercraft on a small scale, similar to the one which I understand is being put into operation at Expo this year, would cost something in the nature of $150,000.00 — half the price. Now when we measure $150,000.00 against human life, I think it is time the Federal Government took action, and this government urge, as I re- quested, action from the Federal Government. Certainly some provision should be made, and this immediately, to provide emergency transportation. If the police are needed over there the only way t ey can get there is by helicopter; if a doctor is need- ed over there, a helicopter is the only answer. This at least should be provided until something is done to resolve this question. Now I am also aware that the Department of Northern Affairs is instituting a program to remove Indian families to better areas and actually on the eighth of April, just a few days ago the Guardian reported this at Kamloops, 8.0., where the transfer of a certain number of Indians from a Reservation was made to another area. A pilot project, so to speak. Now the question whether the Indians, having been granted the constitutional right to this particular reservation in Prince Edward Island, Lennox Island, are prepared to relinquish this area and move to other quarters I do not know, but the matter of immediate urgency is to provide some temporary arrangement for transportation of these people to eliminate loss of

life. Frank Jardine: Mr. Speaker would the honourable member permit a question?

Robert A. Grindlay: Mr. Speaker, I am brash enough and perhaps cute enough to know that this is my opportunity to capitalize on all the publicity I can get, and if any member wishes to ask a question I would be pleased to answer him after I have

concluded my address.

There is another item in this document which indicates that the Government is prepared to contribute towards the cost of special drugs essential to needy individuals. On previous occasions in the House I have argued that, whereas the Government has for the past few years contributed toward the medicine needed by diabetics, and those people can follow out their ordinary and usual customary occupation, there are other people, and many of them suffering from heart disease, who by reason of that disease cannot continue their normal occupation. A farmer has a heart .attack; he cannot handle stock, he can’t do farm work, he can’t do any other work and he can’t get as- sistance from the government except in a very special case. I think, and I certain] hope, that this matter, this particular matter of supplying drugs to heart patients wi I be taken into consideration.

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