North Island MP Rachel Blaney is pushing DFO to fix the federal wharf in Port McNeill, which has been closed for since March 2022.
Blaney says in a recent letter to Fisheries Minister Joyce Murray that the wharf needs two pilings replaced, a job which would only take a day. Meanwhile, while it’s closed, the village cannot be accessed by coastal supply craft or vessels looking to dock for repairs and provisions. She said that’s also a problem for cruise ships that might need to access the wharf in an emergency to offload ill passengers, or navy ships that need to tie up.
“The wharf has been closed for too long with no valid explanation,” she writes. “Port McNeill reached out to Small Craft Harbours/DFO and were told an assessment was ongoing, but resources were taken up with Hurricane Fiona. I have also reached out to SCH/DFO and was advised they would look into the matter but have not received further response.”
She is now asking the minister to schedule a repair for the wharf as soon as possible, so the community doesn’t suffer any further economic losses.
