P.E.I. votes to connect to the rest of Canada

The Story

The people have spoken. Sixty per cent of Prince Edward Islanders favour the fixed link. It's still not clear if it will be a bridge or tunnel. That depends on what gets proposed, but the majority are in favour, leaving only environmental and political obstacles to be surmounted. CBC Radio caught up with Premier Joseph Ghiz in a local pub, talking to residents on the day after the vote.

Medium: Radio
Program: CBC Radio News
Broadcast Date: Jan. 19, 1988
Guest(s): Joe Ghiz, Charles Messer
Host: Barbara Smith
Reporter: Bruce Wark, Bruce Warrck
Duration: 1:27

Did You know?

• About 86,000 Islanders were eligible to vote in the plebiscite.
• Voters were asked "Are you in favour of a fixed-link crossing between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick?" For the yes vote, no distinction was made between what type of fixed link would be built. Islanders later complained that the ambiguity left no room for people who would say yes to a tunnel but no to a bridge. Fishermen, for example, believed a bridge would cause more environmental damage than a tunnel.

• 59.4 per cent of Prince Edward Islanders voted yes to the fixed link while 40.6 per cent voted no.
• Though Liberal Premier Joseph Ghiz never stated his opinion publicly, he was vocal about ensuring that ferry workers receive a fair compensation if a link were to be built.