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Premier in Bamfield to talk about improving the road

Horgan hopes to find some solutions to the health and safety issues in wake of tragic bus crash
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Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns, Premier John Horgan and Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser paid a visit to the Blue Marlin Inn in Port Alberni on Wednesday evening to talk to supporters. ELENA RARDON PHOTO

Premier John Horgan made a brief stop in Port Alberni on Wednesday evening (Nov. 13) on his way to Bamfield to discuss improvements to the road.

Horgan was on his way to Bamfield to meet with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations and representatives from the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and City of Port Alberni so that he could discuss economic development in the region.

“The [Bamfield] road is key to that, but there’s some challenges because the road isn’t owned by the province,” he explained. “It’s owned by Western Forest Products. There’s a range of issues, but we’ll be working through those tomorrow and hopefully we’ll be able to come up with some solutions around health and safety and following up on the deaths on the road.”

READ MORE: Bamfield Road safety concerns resurface after fatal bus crash

READ MORE: Talks with Horgan on safety of Bamfield bus crash road were productive, FN chief says

Horgan already met with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations in September to discuss upgrades to the privately owned gravel road that is the only vehicle access between Port Alberni and Bamfield. The road was the site of a bus crash on Sept. 13 that resulted in the deaths of two University of Victoria students.

Horgan said he also plans to meet with Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions to talk about “some of the issues around her plate.” But his objective on Wednesday evening was just to connect with some of the people he hasn’t seen in a while.

A pub night at the Blue Marlin Inn on Wednesday was a casual evening of socializing with NDP members, supporters and friends as the premier paid a visit to the Alberni Valley.

Special guests included current Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Scott Fraser and Gerard Janssen, the former MLA for the Alberni riding. Newly re-elected Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns also made an appearance.

“I haven’t seen Gord since the election so I was very happy to see him return,” said Horgan on Wednesday evening.

“[Tonight] was just an opportunity to stop and see some friends and reconnect.”



elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com

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Elena Rardon

About the Author: Elena Rardon

I have worked with the Alberni Valley News since 2016.
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