The minister of transportation and works says the fixed link is absolutely needed.

Steve Crocker says when you just think about food security for the people of the province, the fixed link is needed and it’s time.

Crocker says a fixed link or a tunnel isn’t new to anywhere in the world, just look at Norway who have many.

The Minister says it’s time Newfoundland has a fixed link to Canada as it’s nation-building, and he looks forward to having conversations with the federal government around it.

Meanwhile, Premier Ball says when he looks at things that are nation-building, the flow of goods and services, the economic development, tourism and natural resources opportunities, he sees the fixed link as a significant piece to all of those being more successful.

He says it creates the corridor for the first time in the history of the province that there would be a link to mainland Canada.

Ball says he and PM Justin Trudeau spoke about it, and it’s now in the mandate letter of his ministers. It’s a nation-building project, says Ball, and it will be good for Newfoundland and Labrador, and all of Canada.