Plans In Place For Campobello Island Should U.S. Border Close

The MP for Campobello Island says he is working to safeguard residents should the United States suddenly close its border crossings.

With no year-round ferry service, island residents have to travel into Maine to get back and forth between mainland New Brunswick.

John Williamson, the MP for New Brunswick Southwest, said conversations have been happening at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.

“The provincial government has informed me, as well as Mayor [Brett] Newman, that EMO is working on this and there will be a plan put in place should that happen,” said Williamson.

Willamson said that plan would likely involve a ferry operation of some sort between Campobello Island and Deer Island.

But for now, the MP says closing the border is the worst-case scenario which he hopes does not happen.

“There is no gas station on Campobello, there is a limited food store, so this would be a situation where we’d have an island that would need extra attention from federal and provincial authorities,” said Williamson.

He said he has also discussed Campobello’s unique geography with the foreign affairs minister, who is ready to provide assistance.

Williamson said he has one key message for residents on Campobello Island and throughout his riding.

“The advice is really to listen to the doctors and medical personnel, they’re the experts. As elected officials, we’re trying to make sure they have the resources to do the jobs they need to do,” he said.