Ferry funding welcome news for Northumberland Ferries CEO

Ferry services in Atlantic Canada were included in the federal budget with an infrastructure investment of $51.9 million.

The infrastructure investment will help the Northumberland Ferries operated run between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S.,and the CMTA ferry service from Souris, P.E.I., to les-de-la-Madeleine, Que.

NorthumberlandFerries also operates a ferry run between Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S.

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The funds are welcome news, says Mark MacDonald, the chairman and chief executive officer of Northumberland Ferries.

"We always appreciate government's support of ferry services which is essential. So it's always good news when support is announced in a budget. In this case the support which is announced is equivalent to a commitment for a contribution to the services for an additional year,"saidMacDonald.

"And our goal is always long-term certainty in the business for the sake of our customers and the markets that we serve and our employees."

While he recognizes it's a new government, MacDonald said Northumberland Ferries remains optimistic that the long-term certainty will eventually come once they are familiar with the needs for ferries in the region.

"I'll have a better understanding over the next few weeks and months of exactly what the announcement means," said MacDonald.

Cardigan MP and and Agriculture Minister Lawrence MacAulay has lobbied for years for a long-term funding agreement for the ferry service between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia.

MacAulay said he remains committed to ensuring the ferry service continues.

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