David Coon, the leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick talks with Host Vicki Hogarth of Southwest Magazine. He  is advocating for a year-round ferry service to Campobello Island. In a recent interview with CHCO TV's Vicki Hogarth, Coon emphasized the importance of a year-round ferry service in providing reliable transportation options for island residents. He noted that the current seasonal ferry service, which only operates from June to September, can leave residents stranded during the winter months when ice conditions prevent travel by boat.

"The ferry has to become permanent. People in Campobello need to be part of this province. They need to be directly connected to the province," said Coon . :Our ferries are part of our highway system. You go to Grand Manan Island, that's part of the highway system, really. You hit the water, you get on a ferry, and then you land on a Department of Transportation road. And the same with Deer Island. And we need that for Campobello. It's the same for Lameque and de Miscou, the other big islands or inhabited islands in the province up north. They've got a highway system there. The point is, everyone should have a direct connection to the mainland, and it's the New Brunswick mainland and not the mainland of another country. That's not the same. So it's a no brainer. I mean, we've got Coastal Transport. They're running ferry service to Deer Island, Grand Manan, and Whitehead and Campobello is the missing piece. It doesn't make any sense at all."

He also highlighted the economic benefits of a year-round ferry service for the island's tourism industry. Campobello Island attracts visitors from all over the world, but the seasonal ferry service limits the amount of time tourists can spend on the island. 

Coon has been advocating for a year-round ferry service to Campobello Island for several years. He has worked with community groups, local businesses, and other political leaders to push for funding and support for the project.

In 2019, Coon introduced a bill in the New Brunswick Legislature calling for the creation of a year-round ferry service to Campobello Island. Although the bill did not pass, Coon remains committed to the cause and continues to advocate for the project.

"Campobello needs an injection of something to help them develop and reverse some of the declines and changes that are not for the good that have been happening on the island as their population decreases and they lose so much of the sort of infrastructure in the community, the broader community of the island," said Coon.