VICTORIA — Minister of Transportation Todd Stone showed yesterday that he knows what to say, but does what he wants.

“Just seven months ago, Minister Stone promised to maintain vehicle service between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo. But yesterday we learned that there is a plan in place to review and possibly cut this route,” said New Democrat ferries spokesperson Claire Trevena.

When asked in March whether he was considering the cut, Stone replied in the legislature, “there will continue to be vehicle service between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo. I don’t know how much more clearly I can say that.”

“The minister continually failed to face up to these communities and tell them this cut was being considered. It seems nothing has changed since Minister Stone’s last round of ferry service cuts, when he promised he would ‘look people in the eyes’ and give them an explanation – then sent his staff to talk to affected communities.”

The B.C. Liberals are promising a consultation on the proposed cut, but Trevena said people in coastal communities are right to be wary of that promise.

“Last time this government promised to consult, their so-consultations consisted of a whirlwind series of meetings, and at the end of it all, Minister Stone made the cuts he wanted anyway.

“It’s hard to take the B.C. Liberals at their word. They show time and again they know what to say, then do what they want.”