St-Pierre residents lobby for return of freighter link with Newfoundland

Residents of the tiny French-owned islands of St-Pierre-Miquelon are pushing for the return of direct freight service with southern Newfoundland.

Few goods, including building materials and even fresh produce, have made it St-Pierre-Miquelon since the Cap Blanc cargo ship sank in December, killing four crew. The Cap Blanc had been transporting a load of road salt when it capsized in foul weather.

While the French government is preparing to issue a tender to restore a permanent freight connection with Canada, a lobby group is working to ensure the connection remains with Newfoundland in particular.

St-Pierre resident Albin Girardin, a member of the lobby group, said a boatload of freight usually arrived every week from Newfoundland.

"It's really necessary for us to have a boat between Newfoundland and St-Pierre because the cost of … [living] has gone up since now we only have a boat between Halifax and St-Pierre," he said.

"Importing goods from Halifax with a boat that … [takes] 36 hours to … [get here], it's going to be more expensive than a boat that takes nine hours or eight hours from Fortune," Girardin said, referring to the Burin Peninsula town that has for decades had a trading relationship with the French islands.

Girardin said residents must rely on cargo boats because the passenger ferry is not allowed to carry freight.

About 6,000 people live in St-Pierre-Miquelon.