30 October 2006
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada's New Government announced today that it has reached
an agreement in principle with Bay Ferries Limited that
will ensure the Digby-Saint John ferry service will
continue to run for another two years. Four million in
federal support will cover repairs and maintenance of
federal-leased assets: MV Princess of Acadia and
improvements to the Digby, Nova Scotia and Saint John,
New Brunswick facilities. "Governments and industry now have a two-year period to
work with stakeholders to identify a viable long-term
strategy," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of
Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities. "The long-term
solution has to come from all stakeholders, including users
and the business community." "Canada's New Government recognizes the importance of the
Digby-Saint John ferry service to the economy of this
region," said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada
Opportunities Agency, "and this agreement is a key
component in ensuring the continued operation of the
service for two more years.""Governments and the affected communities have demonstrated
their commitment to finding a way to ensure this historic
transportation link is maintained," said the Honourable
Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Regional
Minister for New Brunswick. "This is an example of the
three levels of government working together with the
private sector to achieve a short-term solution that is in
the best interests of the residents of the affected
communities. This arrangement will provide Bay Ferries
with an opportunity to come up with a long-term,
sustainable and bankable business plan.""Communities and businesses in Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick will welcome this news," said Gerald Keddy,
Member of Parliament for South Shore-Saint Margaret's. "I'm
pleased to be part of a government that reacted quickly and
with determination to ensure this important service will
continue to transport people and goods for the economic
benefit of our communities and provinces." "Now that we have an agreement to continue the service, we
will work hard with our partners to identify a long-term
solution for this important transportation link," said Mark
MacDonald, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bay
Ferries Limited. "I wish to express appreciation to the
governments involved for making this possible, and to our
employees and customers for their patience and resilience
over the past four months."The federal support will be subject to meeting applicable
federal requirements.- 30 -
For more information, please contact:
Natalie Sarafian
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and
Communities
613-991-0700
David Harrigan
Media Relations Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-426-4238
