Barring Quebecers from sleep stops in New Brunswick too risky, says MNA for Magdalen Islands

Quebec MNA Jol Arseneauhas renewed warnings thatthe travel restrictions imposed by New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island on Quebecersdriving to the Magdalen Islands endangermotorists, after a family en route to the islandsstruck a mooselast weekend.

Two people, both from Quebec, were sent to hospital withserious injuries after the collision, which happened just after 10 p.m. on June 20on the TransCanadaHighway, 15 kilometres fromFredericton, according to the RCMP.Athird person in the vehicle didn't require medical attention, said police.

"That's what we were dreading," said Arseneau, the Parti Qubcois MNA for the Magdalen Islands, after learning of the accident.

Quebecers heading to their secondary homes on the Magdalen Islands are already able to drive through the Maritimes to catchthe ferry from P.E.I., and anyone visiting the archipelago as tourists will be allowed todo the same as of June 26, but no one is allowed to stop to eat at a restaurantor to sleep.

For someone driving from Montreal, that means a 12- to 14-hour drive. Even from Dgelis, on the Quebec side of the border with New Brunswick, the driving time is at least seven hours. And since travellers also need to time their journey to make the 2 p.m. daily ferry from Prince Edward Island, much of the drive has to happen in the pre-dawn hours.

Arseneau said it's not unusual to hit a moose in that part of the country, but add to that the dangers of nighttime driving, coupled with a tight timeline and the stress of the journey, and it amounts to a risky trip that could deter many travellers.

"A lot of people are not used to driving such long hours," he said. "Many people usually make a stop in New Brunswick to spend the night.They break the trip in two, and that makes for a very enjoyable trip."

Magdalen Islands Mayor Jonathan Lapierretold Radio-Canada he understands elected officials in New Brunswick and P.E.I. want to protect residents from COVID-19, but he'd like to see an agreement at least allowing Quebecers to spend a night in a hotel to avoid dangerousdriving situations.

'Atlanticbubble' excludes Maggies

Arseneau saidon top of the hours behind the wheel, he's heardof travellers waiting at the provincial border for three hours before being allowed to cross into New Brunswick.

"We just don't understand why they're making it so hard," Arseneau said.

He is calling on Premier Franois Legault to intervene.

The four Atlanticprovinces have signed an agreement to create a singlebubble, opening their borders to residents of each others' provinces as of July 3, butQuebecis not part of that deal.

"We'll gauge the success of this," said New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs at a news conference Wednesday. He said it's possible the province could open to people in the rest of Canada by mid- to late July.