Let us hope that we will not have to wait for an even more serious drama for New Brunswick to allow Quebecers to visit the Magdalen Islands without risking their lives this summer.
The trip to the Islands turned into a nightmare for a Montreal couple last week when their car hit a moose, seriously injuring them. It was to be expected.
The idea of crossing the approximately 720 kilometers separating Quebec from the ferry to the Magdalen Islands without being able to stop to eat or sleep is crazy. However, with the start of the tourist season, thousands of other Quebecers – including myself – will be forced to do the same obstacle course.
The risks of seeing other such incidents, if not more serious, are as great as they are unjustifiable.
Designated corridor
The idea of a corridor, which would include designated places to stop, however seems very simple.
New Brunswick is one of the provinces least affected by coronavirus in the country. We can understand his desire to avoid a spread. Except that with the knowledge we now have, it is quite possible to build a safe corridor without risking swarming the virus.
The mayor of the Magdalen Islands appealed directly to François Legault on our pages, to intervene with his New Brunswick counterpart, Blaine Higgs. This intervention appears indeed necessary.
Bulle Quebec
This week, the premiers of the Maritime provinces have agreed on an “Atlantic bubble” that will allow their residents to cross the borders of their respective provinces without having to isolate themselves. François Legault must now succeed in negotiating a “Quebec bubble” to avoid the worst.
Under no circumstances should we play with people’s lives like this. It is nevertheless the effect produced by New Brunswick’s obstinate refusal to arrange acceptable conditions to access this jewel of Quebec that represents the Magdalen Islands.
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