CARIBOU – Gerald Gabriel is hopeful a new federal subsidy agreement is coming for Northumberland Ferries, but he isn’t leaving anything to chance.
The executive director of the Pictou Regional Development Commission recently met with officials from Prince Edward Island’s tourism industry and the Pictou County Tourism Association to strengthen their support for the continuation of the service between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S.
“We want to ensure the continued viability of the ferry service,” said Gabriel. “It is my hope that in short order we will see a multi-year agreement sooner than later.”
Northumberland Ferries Ltd. has been operating the ferry service between Wood Islands and Caribou since 1941. Transport Canada announced five years ago it would provide Northumberland Ferries with $5 million in 2005, $5.1 million in 2006-2007, and $5.2 million in each subsequent year. The service was granted a one-year extension when this agreement ended.
Gabriel said the meeting was a chance for all parties involved to make contact and work towards having the ferry service thrive for many years to come.
He said local people may take the local ferry service for granted, not realizing the employment and tourism opportunities it provides. He said it is the third largest point of entry into Nova Scotia next to the airport and Amherst.
The PRDC executive said tourism officials in both provinces have been working together for some time trying to boost traffic to the service through different marketing initiatives such as encouraging local tourism operators to promote the service and having its own websites linked through NFL’s site.
“(Northumberland Ferries) company officials have been on board and we have been working very closely with them,” Gabriel said. “We all want to ensure the viability of the ferry. There is no reason to suggest it is in danger, but the multi-year agreement is still pending.”
In a recent interview with CBC, Thom MacMillan, president of PEI’s tourism association, said the group wants to see the company awarded at least a 15-year contract so affected businesses can make long-term plans. He is encouraging Islanders and Nova Scotians to email their MPs to voice their concerns on the ferry issue.
Gabriel said the coalition has agreed to keep in touch over the issue and will provide information to each other as it comes their way.
“We will keep the lines of communication open and do everything we can do to make sure this multi-year agreement is entered into, signed and completed,” he said.
