Kootenay Lake ferry issues are drawing community members together from all sides of the lake for a Unity Sailing highlighting Our Ferry Matters on Friday, October 4 starting at 3:00 pm at the Kootenay Lake Ferry Landing.
Plans call for a peaceful gathering to draw attention to the importance of the ferry to the Kootenay region.
SCHEDULE (Pending ferry availability)
3:00 pm: East Shore people meet at Kootenay Bay Ferry Landing
3:40 pm: Group rides the ferry with signs and songs
4:00 pm: West Shore people meet at Balfour Ferry Landing
4:30 pm: Group rides the ferry back to Kootenay Bay, joined by returning students and workers
5:20 pm: West Shore people return home on ferry
“We are coming together to take a stand for a safe, reliable, sustainable ferry service over the long-term,” says Megan Rokeby-Thomas of Kootenay Bay – one of the key organizers. “All our lake communities’ economies are linked and any disruption to our ferry affects small business and employment on both sides of Kootenay Lake. Lives, jobs and educations are at risk!”
The organizing group is collecting personal stories of hardship caused by the current unpredictability of ferry schedules.
They are calling for:
*People to participate on Friday as a show of unity and determination.
*Sharing of stories, writing letters, connecting on the Our Ferry Matters website.
*Action by the provincial government to end the uncertainty that the labour relations are causing.
“We expect a big crowd! This is about coming together in unity for the good of all our communities and our futures. This is not about terminal location debates or dredging — this is about advocating for a sustainable ferry service that we all need and want,” says Gauri Taylor-Topp of Yasodhara Ashram. “The lake is all about connections,” agrees Janet Wallace of Crawford Bay.
Please Help with this Important Issue
That Affects Us All!
ourferrymatters.ca
For more information contact:
Megan Rokeby-Thomas, Ladybug Coffee, Kootenay Bay
250-354-3753
Gauri Taylor-Topp, Yasodhara Ashram
250-505-9635 Toll free: 1-800-661-8711
Janet Wallace, Artisans of Crawford Bay
250-227-9655 Toll free: 1-866-931-8464
Supported by the Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce