MPP Hsu Demands Accountability as Wolfe Island Ferry Dock Delays Continue

Construction delays at the Wolfe Island ferry dock have prompted Kingston and the Islands Member of Provincial Parliament, Ted Hsu, to seek accountability from Ontario’s auditor general. Originally scheduled for completion in the fall of 2023, the necessary upgrades to the Kingston port are now not expected to be finished until 2027. Hsu has expressed his concerns in a letter to Shelley Spence, the auditor general of Ontario, asking for an investigation into the ongoing issues that have plagued the project.

Hsu highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that the new dock at Marysville is set to open this fall. The Wolfe Islander IV ferry will then be able to operate year-round at the new facility, which includes a charging infrastructure and an auto mooring system. Despite this progress, the Kingston side remains incomplete and severely delayed.

A report from the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) in 2011 identified the need for dual ferry service, particularly during peak travel times. Hsu’s letter to Spence outlined how the timeline for the Kingston dock has changed dramatically, shifting from a completion date in 2023 to 2025, and now to 2027—nearly a decade after the ferry was ordered.

“Why is the ferry dock taking so long? I don’t want to make any judgments before I get the facts, but I do want to gather facts,” Hsu remarked. He believes the auditor general has the necessary tools to investigate the delays, which he suspects might stem from engineering challenges or other technical issues.

The auditor general’s office informed Hsu that it is fully booked for investigations in 2025, but he can submit a request for the following year. Undeterred, Hsu plans to pursue answers through written questions in the legislature, freedom of information requests, and direct communication with the contractor.

The ongoing delays have significant repercussions for the island community. Hsu noted that a medical clinic has closed, and some residents have relocated to the mainland due to the transportation challenges. Mayor Judy Greenwood Spears indicated that families have left the island because they require reliable access to work and school.

Reflecting on the situation, island resident Lorne Kane, who has lived on Wolfe Island for nearly 70 years, expressed frustration. “You’re telling me they can put up condominiums and apartment buildings twice as fast as they can do that dock?” he questioned.

Another resident, Sam Cluff, compared the dock’s construction to the quicker repairs at the LaSalle Causeway and the new building at Queen and Ontario streets. “It’s more of an embarrassment, I think. I feel bad because the ferry staff and dock crews are the ones that take it on the chin,” Cluff said. She emphasized that the delays could have been better allocated to other essential services, such as ambulance coverage.

Hsu remains committed to advocating for his constituents, pressing for an investigation into several critical areas, including project management, oversight, and financial accountability. In his letter to the auditor general, he specified key points he believes should be examined:

– The initial project planning, budgeting, and procurement processes.
– The reasons behind all delays and cost increases.
– The effectiveness of the MTO’s oversight and contract management.
– The impact on service delivery and recommendations for improving future public infrastructure projects in Ontario.

As the community waits for answers, the uncertainty surrounding the ferry dock continues to affect daily life on Wolfe Island. Residents are hopeful for a resolution that will not only improve transportation but also restore stability to the island’s economy and quality of life.