Mr. Nowlan:

Well, it is difficult even if you have a ferry, like the one we had, which plies to Saint John. I know the minister has heard the many representations which have been made about the inadequate wharf at Digby, and the archaic ferry service to Saint John. In the days of sail and early steam Nova Scotia had, for those days, sufficient transportation service to the New England and upper Canadian markets. But while there has been progress in every other field the present and only ferry connection for all western Nova Scotia to the rest of Canada and the market of Montreal, via Saint John, has continually slipped behind.

Can members of this committee believe in this day and age of tractor-trailer transport that the C.P.R. ferry between Saint John and Digby cannot take any vehicle larger than a half-ton truck. And this is supposed to be the eastern terminus of a national company discharging its responsibility to the people of the maritimes.

Mr. Chairman, the lack of modern transportation facilities to the markets of New England, Montreal and Toronto, is crippling the growth of all western Nova Scotia. Not only does this gap in transportation prohibit any growth in industry, but it is stifling what we already have. Not only are we handicapped in getting our goods to market, but because of the complicated and lengthy transshipment process we have hurdles to overcome in getting machinery and parts to service our plants.

[DOT] (8:30 p.m.)

I believe the minister has already acknowledged that this ferry service is an essential link in our national transportation network. If it is essential, it is certainly not now effective. I appreciate a commission is now studying maritime transportation problems,

Supply-Transport

but we do not know when it will report. There is some rumour that it will not be for 18 months, and we all know that can be two years or more. Why is it necessary to wait that long before any move is made to improve an essential service which even the minister himself admits is essential, and which all people in the east recognize is ineffective? Surely negotiations should be under way with the C.P.R. to define the areas of responsibility and start action on improving a service which is worse than in the horse and buggy days.

There is a precedent for action, the type of action which a dynamic government could take. For several years I lived and worked in British Columbia. I think that experience was a broadening one. While Premier Bennett and I did not see eye to eye on several subjects, he does get things done. For years in B.C. the C.P.R. was providing an ineffectual service to Vancouver Island. People complained. The economy suffered. Finally, Mr. Bennett took action: He took over the ferries and his service is now the showcase for the entire Pacific northwest.

The responsibility for the maintenance and improvement of this service rests primarily with the federal government. If the C.P.R. will not live up to its obligations, then the government has to act. The cloaking of the issue in a commission does not solve the present problem. A half-ton truck may provide transportation, Mr. Chairman, but it does not provide service. The people look for action. We hope the minister will act, and activate the present inactive situation.

Mr. J. P. Nowlan (Digby-Annapolis-Kings):

Mr. Speaker, I wish to address a question to the Prime Minister. I apologize for not giving

DEBATES 147

Inquiries of the Ministry him notice, but until the division bells rang I thought I had until 2.30 this afternoon. However, I hope to catch on before long.

The announcement the Prime Minister made on Thursday last in connection with grants to education was certainly most welcome, I know, in Canada and particularly in the maritime provinces. Having just returned from the maritime provinces this week end I should like to ask whether the supplemental grants and the per capita grants he referred to will mean that the universities in the maritime provinces, which have a higher proportion of out of province students, will receive more than the $5 per capita.

Mr. Nowlan:

I appreciate that this is a complicated formula, but does it mean there is to be a ceiling of $5 per capita?

Mr. J. P. Nowlan (Digby-Annapolis-Kings):

Mr. Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Fisheries. I should like to know whether he can tell the house and the people of Nova Scotia why the New Brunswick coastline along the Bay of Fundy remains closed to fishing while the coastline along the Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy remains open to all. And when can the people of Nova Scotia expect a change in this policy which discriminates against inshore fishermen of Nova Scotia?

Mr. Nowian:

I presume the minister will give the assurance that clause 5, which deals with borrowing, is in the usual form which has been used in interim supply bills in the past?