Tackling tolls: Could Confederation Bridge ever be free to cross?

There may be no easier an assignmentfor a P.E.I. journalist: go find Islanders willing to share their thoughts on the Confederation Bridge toll. Anyone who leaves the Island by car, truck or motorcyclehas paid it.It's safe to say most, would rather not.

So far as I'm concerned, the toll should be dropped or eliminated entirely.- Jordan Giddings, Confederation Bridge user

"I mean it's $46.50 now. That's quite a high toll," said Patrick Schwartz. "It'd be nice if you're from the Island to have a discounted price."

"I find it kind of infringes on our rights as Islanders to perhaps get away," added Jordan Giddings. "You know, we don't all have all kinds of money. So far as I'm concerned, the toll should be dropped or eliminated entirely."

But despite onlinepetitions, and a big push by P.E.I. senator Percy Downein the last few years, the toll hasn't dropped.In fact, since the bridge opened in 1997, it's steadily increased from $35 per car to $46.50.

The bridge's general manager, MichelLe Chasseur, admitshe hears from angry Islanders every time that toll increases.

But don't point the finger at him. He and theprivate company that operatethe bridgeStrait Crossing Bridge Limitedarejust following the rules.

"The toll's goneup by 75 per cent of inflation every year on January 1st.That's the rule. The federal government set that," said Le Chasseur. "We have a contract. And a contract is a contract."

Toll increases part of 35-year contract

The contract.It's the very reason this push to eliminate the bridge tollis such a tricky business.

When the federal government decided to connect P.E.I. to the mainland, it struck a deal with several private companies and their shareholders, all packagedunder one name: Strait Crossing Development Inc. (SCDI).

SCDI was tasked with designing, building, financing, and then operating the $1 billionbridge for 35 years.In return, the federal government agreed to pay off the bridge overthose 35 years through an annual subsidy. The contract ends in 2032.

Ottawa also agreed toletSCDI keep all the bridge's toll revenues for the entire length of the contract.

According to the latest numbers made public, between 1997-2013 those toll revenues added up to more than $500 million. And whilethe company won't releasea breakdown of just where that money goes, Le Chasseuracknowledges at least some portion is profit for SCDI and its shareholders.

Who should pay users or all taxpayers?

So, the bottom line, saysLe Chasseur, if the federal government wantsto lower or eliminate the tolls, taxpayerswillneed to compensate SCDI for lost toll revenue.

"The old phrase nothing is free, that's absolutely correct," said Le Chasseur."You pay at the toll here, or you pay through your taxes.You still pay.There's no such thing as a free bridge or free health care.Someone has to pay."

And SenatorPercy Downe saysthat someone should be the federal government.

"The government is in the subsidy business ferries in BC, ferries in Atlantic Canada, now bridges," said Downe."They have to be consistent."

You pay at the toll here, or you pay through your taxes. You still pay.- Michel Le Chasseur, General Manager, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited

It's not an argument Downeever felt the need to make. That wasuntil the Trudeaugovernmentmade a promise during the last election campaign one the government's since confirmed it will honour to completely subsidize the cost of Montreal's new $4 billion Champlain Bridge, and to not charge atoll.

"Both these bridges are owned by the Government of Canada," said Downe."Why are we paying, and they're not?"

'A political decision', says P.E.I. MP Wayne Easter

Federal Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohihas explainedthe ChamplainBridge won'thave a toll because it's replacing another bridge.

P.E.I. LiberalMP Wayne Easter has a different explanation politics.

"It came down to the fact that the three parties in the last election, all vying for votes in the Montreal area, made a political decision that they wouldn't put tolls on the Champlain Bridge.It's as simple as that," said Easter."That's being honest about it."

Sowith few federal votes to viefor inP.E.I., should Islanders ever expectthe free tollshere? Senator Downesays of course.In fact, he has a renewed sense of optimism, thanks to a comment made by the Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a town hall in Ontario in January.

Trudeau acknowledged the Confederation Bridge is "an expensive bridge to cross" and said he'dtake the matter up with Island MPs.

Downe ishopeful that means the federal government will actually consider his ideas to make the bridge crossing more affordable for drivers either by offering drivers a tax rebate, or lowering the tolls and compensatingSCDIthroughannual subsidies, longafter 2032.

"You extend that contract out, and you can reduce the tolls dramatically. You extend it out long enough, and there'd be no tolls at all," explained Downe.

But at this point, Easter says IslandMP's have not had any discussions with the prime minister about the bridge toll issue and Downe'sideas.

And while Easteracknowledges that it "may not be 100% fair" that drivers on the Champlain Bridge won't have to pay tolls, he's not sure lowering the toll on the Confederation Bridge is viable, or even necessary.

You extend that contract out, and you can reduce the tolls dramatically.- Percy Downe, PEI Senator

"How many people today remember when we didn't have a bridge? When we had car ferries? When you sat in line for threeor four hours, missed the boatby 10 minutes, then waited for three boats in order to get across?" said Easter.

"You've got to think back and remember what the cost of that was, versus what the cost of the bridge tollsare."

Of course, once the federal government's contract with SCDIexpiresin 15 years, who knows what will happen then.

TransportCanada says it will,"evaluate options for the Confederation Bridge operations well in advance of the end of the current agreement scheduled for 2032."

In the meantime, says Wayne Easter, just be grateful for thateasy 10 minute drive across the Northumberland Strait, even if it does come at acost.

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