Opposition Leader Paul Davis opened question period Monday by asking what has happened with the $750,000 budgeted last year by the province to study the idea of a fixed-link between Newfoundland and Labrador.
That’s when Ball revealed Ottawa is involved.
“They have made an indication that they are willing to participate,” he said. “Once those contracts are finalized, Mr. Speaker, we’ll get on with this study. It’s very important to the people in Labrador.”
Things quickly devolved into a political shouting match.
Davis said the whole thing was a waste of money because in 2004 there was a study that determined a tunnel would cost $2 billion in today’s dollars.
Davis also suggested a fixed link would hurt Port Aux Basques and the surrounding region, because currently they’re the gateway to the mainland by way of Marine Atlantic’s ferry service.
Ball suggested Davis doesn’t know what is going on in Labrador.
“If the former premier and the leader of the PC party ever visited that district he would know that it is a big concern all around Labrador to get a fixed link study done,” the premier said. “Get in touch with people in Labrador, I say to the members opposite, Mr. Speaker, get in touch with them.”
Davis responded, “Great performance by the premier this afternoon, but he didn’t answer the question, Mr. Speaker.”
Then he moved on to asking questions about the budget.