Provincial Transportation and Public Works Minister Gail Shea, on behalf of Premier Pat Binns, expressed satisfaction with the new five-year agreement that has been negotiated between Northumberland Ferries Limited and Transport Canada.
Last week, Premier Binns and Minister Shea called on the federal government to maintain the existing ferry service between Wood Islands, PEI and Caribou, NS. The Premier also spent time in discussions with both Prime Minister Paul Martin and the federal Minister of Transportation.
“The provincial government was quite confident last week, following the Premier’s communications with the Prime Minister and Transport Minister Jean Lapierre,” said Minister Shea. “The Government of Prince Edward Island worked closely with Northumberland Ferries Limited to clarify the federal government’s obligation to maintain the ferry service between Wood Islands and Caribou from ice-out to ice-in. We expect that Ottawa has realized their responsibility to this service, now and into the future.”
Minister Shea added that she hoped the citizens and businesses of eastern Prince Edward Island would not have to make their case every five years to maintain this important service. “This outcome is an excellent example of both levels of government working together for the common good of Islanders,” she said.