The Northern Ranger has been given a one year reprieve. The minister of works services and transportation says northern Labrador's only passenger ferry will be running in 2002. Percy Barrett will create a transportation panel to help decide what to do with the service after that. Paul Pigott reports. News that the Northern Ranger wouldn't be running in 2002 caused an uproar on Labrador's north coast.
Many communities there depend on tourist dollars the boat brings in.
There will be changes though in 2003. Barrett says that year Cartwright and Happy Valley Goose Bay will replace Lewisporte as the departure points for all passengers and freight going to the coast. That will mean new ships. Barrett now wants a transportation panel from the coast to make recommendations about how to make that transition. The appeal court has overturned the conviction of a young woman charged with unlawfully disposing of a baby's body.