Liberal Transport Critic Joe Volpe and Nova Scotia Liberal MP Scott Brison are calling on all federal, provincial, municipal and private partners to come together to come up with a solution to keep the Yarmouth ferry operational.
“The ferries of Nova Scotia are critical to the livelihoods of the people in this region,” said Mr. Volpe. “If we are to sustain the economic development, not just of Nova Scotia but of the entire Atlantic region, we must do everything we can to keep these critical transportation links up and running.”
Bay Ferries Ltd. announced today that it will not resume service next year between Yarmouth, Bar Harbor and Portland, Maine, after being informed that the provincial government will no longer provide funding for its operations.
Mr. Brison said any decisions about funding should have been put off until after a federal report is released by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. ACOA is currently undergoing an examination of regional transportation links.
“Simply cutting off all funding at this juncture is devastating to the community,” he said. “All partners must come to the table immediately to see what can be done to save the Yarmouth ferry – to protect jobs, to sustain the local economy and to maintain this vital transit service for all Nova Scotians.”
