Latest news with #MarineAtlantic
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
Commercial traffic not included in upcoming toll cuts
Despite the cuts to bridge and ferry tolls in P.E.I., commercial traffic will not benefit from the reduction. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Atlantic Canadians are seeing a mix of savings and disappointment after the federal government announced cuts to bridge and ferry tolls. While Confederation Bridge tolls will drop to $20 this Friday and some ferry fares will be slashed, not everyone is benefiting. Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Albany, P.E.I., yesterday said, 'We would cut the fares on the Eastern Ferries and Marine Atlantic in half, and today we're making good on those promises.' The announcement included a 50 per cent fare reduction for commercial trucks on some Maritime ferries, but Marine Atlantic, which serves Newfoundland, is not included in the discount. Chris McKee of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association expressed his disappointment, stating, 'Our understanding from Marine Atlantic Is that commercial traffic will not benefit from this 50 per cent reduction in fares which is rather disappointing.' Transportation and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland noted the importance of Marine Atlantic for Newfoundland's supply chain, saying, 'Nearly 65 per cent of goods to and from Newfoundland are transported by Marine Atlantic. That includes fresh produce, medical supplies in home heating fuel cutting those costs means more reliable supply chain and lower prices for consumers.' McKee argues the lack of discounts on Marine Atlantic ferries will negate those benefits. 'Unfortunately, this reduction, while great for tourists and for passenger traffic, sure will likely not lead to any decreases in the price of moving freight to and from Newfoundland, which of course, is ultimately passed along to the consumer,' said McKee. Bay Ferries and Northumberland Ferries will implement the 50 per cent discount for commercial traffic. Marine Atlantic will freeze rates but offer no additional discount. In a statement to CTV, a Marine Atlantic spokesperson said, 'From Marine Atlantic's perspective, we are a federal Crown Corporation that reports to Transport Canada. We will work with them regarding funding decisions that will help offset this loss of revenue, while delivering on their commitment and maintaining an effective service for our customers.' Despite the Marine Atlantic situation, McKee believes the cuts to other ferry services will provide some relief to the trucking industry. 'This change could save a medium sized carrier on the island with, let's say 75 to 80 trucks, close to $150,000-$175,000 a year.' McKee also pointed out the $1,300 cost of sending a truck from North Sydney to Port aux Basques is significant, and discounts on that route are needed, given the high volume of exports to Newfoundland. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ottawa makes good on promise to cut Confederation Bridge tolls, ferry fares in Eastern Canada
The federal government is slashing tolls on the Confederation Bridge and lowering ferry fares in Eastern Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced while in P.E.I. on Monday. "It's always a good day when you wake up on Prince Edward Island, and today is an especially good day. It's a big day," Carney said at the announcement on Prince Edward Island's South Shore, with the Confederation Bridge visible behind him. Effective Aug. 1, the cost of crossing the bridge, which connects P.E.I. with New Brunswick, will fall to $20 from $50.25. Transport trucks will also pay a flat rate of $20. There's no change in the cost for cyclists, pedestrians, shuttles or motorcycles. Fares for passengers, cars and commercial traffic on ferry services in Eastern Canada that are federally supported will go down by 50 per cent. Those ferries provide service between: Magdalen Islands, Que., and Souris, P.E.I. Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S. Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S. "Today's announcement will mean more Canadians can see more of Atlantic Canada," Carney said. WATCH | Prime Minister Mark Carney on cuts to Confederation Bridge toll, key ferry fares in Eastern Canada: Fares for passengers and vehicles on the ferry that operates between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are also going down. Ottawa has pledged to increase funding to the operator, Marine Atlantic, to lower the price by 50 per cent. Ottawa is also freezing commercial freight rates on that route. "The costs of the bridge and ferry don't just fall on tourists," Carney said. "If we are going to build a stronger, more united economy, and we are doing that, we are going to need to make it more affordable to travel around this country, for people and for businesses." WATCH | Islanders and tourists excited about reduced price to leave P.E.I.: For Rob Lantz, premier of P.E.I., Monday's announcement validated his months-long lobbying effort to reduce the fees. "I've been a real pest, a thorn in the side of everyone in Ottawa," he said. "We've been pushing for this forever. It's been 28 years that we've paid outrageous tolls on that bridge behind us and this is going to save Prince Edward Islanders tens of millions of dollars." The move will make life more affordable on P.E.I., he said "That bridge effectively acted as a tariff on everything we exported. And that is greatly, greatly reduced today." Rates will be frozen for several years According to Straight Crossing Bridge Ltd., the company that operates the Confederation Bridge, the $20 toll will apply to all passenger vehicles and transport trucks. Truckers will now be charged the flat rate instead of by the number of axles on their vehicle. The cost for cyclists, people walking or talking the shuttle, and riding a motorcycle will stay the same. There are seven years left in Straight Crossing's contract with Ottawa. Over that time, the federal government will cover the cost of keeping the toll at $20, said Heath MacDonald, MP for Malpeque and federal agriculture minister. Lowering the toll will cost taxpayers, he said, but the knock-on economic effects will outweigh that. WATCH | 'It's a good day': P.E.I. MP breaks down the deal to reduce bridge, ferry fees: "Ninety-five per cent of our products leave by transport. We have about a million cars and trucks coming across that bridge, for example, and ferry," MacDonald said. "That's extremely important... to small to medium-sized enterprises." Four years remain in Ottawa's contract with Northumberland Ferries Limited, the operator of the ferry service between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. During that time, fares will be capped at 50 per cent of current rates, MacDonald said. The federal government estimates the entire deal will return about $100 million into Canadians' pockets each year — money they can then reinvest into the economy. When the contracts expire, prices will be back up for negotiation. 'An important decision for us' The importance of affordable travel is not lost on Joanne Thompson, the MP for the Newfoundland and Labrador riding of St. John's East and the federal fisheries minister. "We are reliant on Marine Atlantic as part of our connection with the Atlantic Canadian provinces and also the rest of Canada," Thompson said. More than 60 per cent of all goods transported to and from Newfoundland are handled by Marine Atlantic, the federal government said. It also transports about 90 per cent of all perishable items like fresh produce and propane for home heating. "This is an important decision for us on connectivity," Thompson said. "It's an important decision for our economy and it is important for our families." Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland echoed that statement and said the announcement brings measurable economic benefits during a "really challenging time for Canada." "If we work together, if we build one Canadian economy, if we build Canada strong we can give more to ourselves, we can do more for ourselves and each other than anyone can take away from us," Freeland said. This is Carney's first official visit to P.E.I. as prime minister since the federal election. The announcement makes good on his campaign pledge to reduce the Confederation Bridge tolls and cut ferry rates.
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Equal funding is the answer': Eby says Ottawa must lift subsidy for B.C. ferry users
VICTORIA - Premier David Eby has called for the federal government to float more money for ferry users in British Columbia, adding that equal funding 'is the answer,' after Ottawa cut ferry rates in Atlantic Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Aug. 1, there will be a 50 per cent fare cut for passenger, vehicle and commercial users of Marine Atlantic — a constitutionally mandated ferry service connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Eby said now is the time for the federal government to have a 'serious look' at the current funding formula for B.C. ferry users, which has come under scrutiny in the wake of federal criticism of a BC Ferries contract with a Chinese ship builder. 'The ask is very straightforward,' Eby said. 'We need the same per-capita funding that any other province gets through any other announcements that (are) made across the country.' He added that 'fairness, equality, and access' to programs from the federal government is 'mission-critical.' The premier acknowledged that Carney's announcement was an election promise, but said Ottawa must 'up the federal subsidy' for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades. Eby has noted previously that the federal government subsidizes ferry users in Atlantic Canada by about $300 per person, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 per person. He said Monday that provinces must receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program, renewing a familiar complaint about B.C. being treated unfairly under Canada's system of equalization payments. 'Doesn't matter, if it is an economic program, a subsidy for ferries, subsidies for road building, subsidies for immigration, health care funding, child care funding — you name it,' he said. 'Equal funding is the answer.' Carney's announcement comes after the federal government condemned the BC Ferries contract with a Chinese state-owned company to build four vessels, even as the Canada Infrastructure Bank lent the company money for the ferries. That same Chinese shipyard, Chinese Merchants Industry Weihai, also built one of Atlantic Canada's newest vessels through an agreement with Stena RoRo. No Canadian companies bid for the BC Ferries contract, and the company, which is solely owned by the provincial government, has repeatedly said the Chinese shipyard had 'the strongest bid by a significant margin.' BC Ferries said in a statement that it recognized the federal government's decision to reduce ferry and bridge prices in Atlantic Canada. 'Ferry service is just as essential in British Columbia,' it added. 'It's a vital part of our transportation network, connecting people, goods and services across coastal communities every day.' The total value of the federal contribution to BC Ferries is $37.8 million in 2025-26. According to BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union, federal support for Marine Atlantic is almost $130 million. BC Ferries said it uses a different funding model to deliver services. Partial funding comes from the province, with some money coming from the federal government, under an arrangement negotiated in 1977. 'But we also operate one of the largest and most complex ferry systems in the world, and unlike many other jurisdictions, the vast majority of system costs are paid directly by ferry users,' the statement said. 'Without additional support, fares would need to increase by more than 30 per cent in 2028 alone, just to keep up with operating and capital pressures,' it added. The statement went on to say that 'continued collaboration' across all levels of government will be necessary to keep ferry travel 'reliable, affordable and sustainable' for coastal British Columbians. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2025.
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Carney slashes Marine Atlantic ferry rates by half for travel between N.L. and mainland
Travelling to the mainland by ferry will be cheaper for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians starting on Friday. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Monday that he's cutting Marine Atlantic passenger and vehicle fares in half by increasing funding to the ferry service that operates between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. Ottawa is also freezing commercial freight rates on that route. "If we are going to build a stronger, more united economy, and we are doing that, we are going to need to make it more affordable to travel around this country, for people and for businesses," Carney said. "Today's announcement will mean more Canadians can see more of Atlantic Canada." Marine Atlantic spokesperson Darrell Mercer said Monday's announcement will mean hundreds of dollars in savings for families looking to leave the island. "A customer who's traveling through Argentia, a family of four with a regular-sized vehicle, they're going to save between $300 and $400 per crossing. Through Port aux Basques, that's going to be about $100 to $200 for the same family of four," Mercer said. Marine Atlantic operates four ferries on two different routes. The year-round ferry service operates between Port aux Basques and North Sydney, N.S., with three vessels on its regular fleet: The Blue Puttees, Highlanders, and Leif Ericson. The second seasonal route operates between Argentia and North Sydney. It runs up to three times per week from June to September using the service's newest vessel, the Ala'suini. Mercer said Marine Atlantic is experiencing a spike in tourism this summer. The ferry service isn't sold out, he said, but capacity is strained. Summer bookings have increased by 9,000 compared to last year. "The thousands of additional passengers that are coming to Newfoundland this summer for whatever reason — could be the geopolitical situation in the United States, Canada Games ... we're seeing it on our vessels," Mercer said. For travellers with bookings past Aug. 1, Mercer said refunds will be issued. "We've got approximately 110,000 passengers that have bookings in our system, so it's going to take a little bit of time to work through those," Mercer said. "We ask for patience. Those refunds will be forthcoming. It's just going to take a little time." Passenger cabins are not included in Ottawa's fare reductions for Marine Atlantic vessels.
Vancouver Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Premier Eby says Ottawa must increase its subsidy for B.C. ferry users
Premier David Eby says it is time for the federal government to provide more money for ferry users in British Columbia after Ottawa cut ferry rates in Atlantic Canada. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that starting Aug. 1, there will be a 50 per cent fare cut for passenger, vehicle and commercial users of Marine Atlantic — a constitutionally mandated ferry service connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Eby says now it's time for the federal government to have a 'serious look' at the current funding formula for B.C. ferry users. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The premier acknowledged that Carney's announcement today was an election promise, but says Ottawa must 'up the federal subsidy' for B.C. ferry users, which has not changed for almost two decades. Carney says the fee reductions are meant to boost interprovincial mobility — part of the government's plan to reduce internal trade barriers in response to the U.S. trade war. Besides the ferry rates, Carney also slashed tolls on the Confederation Bridge that connect Prince Edward Island tot he mainland. Eby has noted previously that the federal government subsidizes ferry users in Atlantic Canada by about $300 a person per year, while ferry users in B.C. receive $1 a person, and says provinces must receive the same per-capita funding, regardless of the program. Carney's announcement comes after the federal government heavily criticized the BC Ferries contract with a Chinese state-owned company to build four major vessels, even as the Canada Infrastructure Bank loaned the company money for the ferry.
