Premier Pat Binns says the federal government has a signed commitment to maintain ferry service between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia.
In a number of documents related to the construction of the fixed crossing, the province of Prince Edward Island asked for, and was given, assurance that the Northumberland Ferry service was a separate and distinct service and that the construction of a fixed crossing would in no way diminish the ferry service.
“Based on those documents, we believe that the federal government is shirking its responsibility to this service and shirking its responsibility to Islanders,” said Premier Pat Binns. “Documents related to the negotiations around the fixed crossing clearly show a commitment to the ferry.”
On December 16, 1992, the province of PEI and the federal government signed an Agreement with the federal government on the terms and conditions of the Northumberland Strait Crossing Project Federal Provincial Agreement. Section 14 of the document states:
"Canada acknowledges the distinct and important role the Wood Islands-Caribou ferry service provides and recognizes that the construction and operation of the fixed crossing in no way diminishes the importance of the ferry services."
And in a letter to Public Works Canada in 1987, then Premier Joe Ghiz said his government would support the construction of the fixed crossing, conditional on the continuation of the Northumberland Ferry Service.
The letter said:
"Construction of a fixed crossing will replace only the Borden-Cape Tormentine ferry service. The Wood Islands-Caribou ferry service is recognized as a distinct and important alternative, which is supported on its own merits."
“In the final analysis, we expect this ferry service to operate from May 1st to December 20th, each year, using a full complement of boats,” said Premier Binns.
Ferry service between Wood Islands and Caribou is vital, especially to tourism, construction and agriculture. Last year, over 20,000 commercial trucks, 176,000 passenger vehicles and 475,000 passengers depended on this service from May to December. Close to 100 Islanders are employed by Northumberland Ferries.
“The numbers in this case speak for themselves,” said Premier Binns. “Why the people who represent this province at the federal cabinet table cannot see that, and have chosen not to represent the needs of PEI, is beyond me.”