It was the fence that didn’t make sense.

It was only two days ago that Rick Mercer first tweeted about the seven-foot high solid cedar wall, one which the MP for St. John’s East—and many others—called “ugly.”

B’ys, da Fence is “Coming Down” – didn’t take long once Ottawa gave the order @590VOCM #nltraffic pic.twitter.com/SssusBGmyJ — Paul Raynes (@PaulRaynesVOCM) July 18, 2019

The order came down yesterday evening and crews were on scene at first light this morning.

The minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, is not saying she ordered the removal, but admits there was a discussion. She commends Parks Canada for acting so quickly.

She does not know the precise cost of the fence, but says they will store and re-use the wood. The wood is in good condition, and she says government will be able to use it again.

Maurice Fitzgerald, a commercial photographer who runs photography tours around the province’s iconic historic sites, is happy the fence came down.

Fitzgerald says he has had guests with mobility issues and one of the best places for them to enjoy the epic views this province has to offer is on Signal Hill, next to the Visitors Centre.

Harris Questions Lack of Consultation

Meanwhile, the former MP for the district of St. John’s East is questioning the lack of consultation in erecting the fence.

Jack Harris was the MP for the district in the late 1980’s and from 2008 to 2015. He says that public consultations on the matter should have been conducted.

Harris says government should have known such a project would “fly in the face of people’s expectations.” He points to a similar situation last year in St. Paul’s Inlet on the west coast.

He applauds government for their quick reaction, but cautions that in the future, government should be hesitant about interfering with people’s expectations without proper consultation.