Liberals say government is playing politics with southwest Nova Scotia transportation report

The opposition Liberals say government is refusing to hand over a study that looks at the transportation needs of southwestern Nova Scotia.

The NDP, which said the report would be available three months ago, says it has the report but the decision to release it will come from the federal government.

Liberal leader Stephen McNeil says the report will help the region plan ways to boost tourism and the economy.

“This study that was being done was supposed to be a path going forward,” says McNeil. “It’s only fair that government has it now, that they release it to the community and let the community have an opportunity to see what the recommendation is.”

McNeil says the region is struggling with the government’s cancellation of the CAT ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine.

Premier Darrell Dexter says his government has received the final report from the federal government.

“It’s not a matter of seeing it, they have transmitted it to us,” says Dexter. “But the release of it is up to them, it’s their report.”

McNeil says the premier is just passing the buck, and playing politics with the issue.

He says the NDP government has three senior members on the steering committee, so they should have the right to release it themselves.