The Shippagan wharf is surrounded by metal fences and gates.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
The mayor of Shippagan, Kassim Doumbia, the federal deputy for Acadie-Bathurst, Serge Cormier, as well as the premier Blaine Higgs do not hide that they are annoyed by the presence of these fences.
They are installed on federal government property and block access to the Véloroute, a provincial infrastructure.
For some of the population, these fences and gates represent a kind of scar on the face of the “Commercial Fishing Capital of New Brunswick”.
Two years ago, barriers appeared. Fences were then installed around the wharf to “protect the health and safety of the public during the COVID-19 pandemic”.
Only people with a card provided by the port authority can activate the barrier.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
The mayor of Shippagan, the federal deputy as well as the Premier indicate that it is up to the Port Authority of Shippagan to provide explanations publicly.
However, this organization responsible for port facilities systematically refuses to grant interviews on this issue.
MP Cormier seems particularly annoyed by the situation.
The MNA for Acadie-Bathurst, Serge Cormier, finds that the question of the fences on the wharf in Shippagan wastes energy unnecessarily and he would like the question to be resolved as quickly as possible.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Mario Mercier
We are wasting very precious time and I think these groups can find a solution
he says. Other docks in the area are open to the public as far as I know.
” For me, it is very clear. The Port Authority of Shippagan must find a way to allow access to the wharf for visitors and the community. »
The federal deputy specifies that Fisheries and Oceans did not force the Port Authority to install fences and that it is the decision of this organization.
Discomfort in the community
The mayor of Shippagan, Kassim Doumbia, also seems very embarrassed by the presence of these fences and barriers around this place which is part of the brand image of his municipality.
I know there are some platforms where access may be restricted in other ways, but people can still walk there
he says.
The mayor, Kassim Doumbia, does not want the town of Shippagan to be recognized for its fences.
Photo: Courtesy Kassim Doumbia
He thinks that the Port Authority Board of Directors should clarify the situation with the population because of the unnecessary frustrations in the community
.
Since the responsibility for the wharf falls under Fisheries and Oceans, steps have been taken with the responsible official to create this corridor which can be used by cyclists and walkers at all times.
he says.
Tourism and image
Tourists, it is known, are often attracted by what is unique. But, at the suggestion that these fences and gates in Shippagan could one day become an attraction in themselves, Mayor Doumbia has a strong reaction.
Well, I wouldn’t like the town of Shippagan to attract attention for fences.
he said after a chuckle. This is not necessarily what we want to project as an image for our municipality.
” It’s quite inconceivable that the eye would be caught in the east of the country for fences, that’s for sure. »
These non-standard facilities also embarrass the tourism industry.
It’s a shame to see this arrangement.
laments Yannick Mainville, of the Acadian Peninsula Tourism Office.
Yannick Mainville, from the Acadian Peninsula Tourist Office, deplores the fact that the Véloroute, “a gem”, is blocked by metal fences.
Photo: Radio Canada
The Véloroute remains one of the major infrastructures of the Acadian Peninsula
he notes. It’s a gem. There are many tourists who come to the region for the Véloroute. This would be to ensure that it is safe for cyclists when they are in the area of Shippagan.
The New Brunswick Department of Tourism has ignored our numerous requests for explanations and comments on this question which creates unease.
However, last week Premier Blaine Higgs expressed his bewilderment and misunderstanding about the presence of these COVID-19 fences.
Security?
Officials of the Port Authority of Shippagan have not yet publicly invoked the reason for fears of accidents on the wharf with the presence of visitors or curious people.
At the Shippagan Port Authority office, no one wants to talk about fences and gates.
Photo: Radio-Canada / René Landry
But, Mayor Doumbia indicates that the reason for the presence of these fences would now be more related to the fear of accidents than to the pandemic.
What was raised by the Port Authority committee was the question of security for the activities that take place at the wharf
he says. The posters are more about COVID. But, we are at a new stage in this era of COVID. So I think there should perhaps be possibilities on the part of the Port Authority to create a safe corridor for walkers and cyclists.
No accident statistics
Until 2004, two major marine product processing plants, located near the wharf, employed a few hundred people.
Employees from all over the Acadian Peninsula, from Neguac to Allardville, converged on the Shippagan wharf to work there. It was not uncommon to see a long line of cars in the morning entering the city.
Today, Shippagan no longer has a processing plant. Port Authority officials would still be very concerned about the risk of accidents.
At the Port Authority office, the general manager, Camille-André Mallet, is unable to provide statistics on the number of accidents involving members of the public over the past 10 or 15 years.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca