“Can’t afford to lose ferry service”—Theriault

During question period, Theriault pressed the premier on what steps his government was taking to extend the life of the ‘Princess of Acadia’. “The Princess of Acadia ferry service generates roughly $40 million a year for the economy of Nova Scotia,” said Theriault. “The people and businesses of this region cannot afford to lose the ferry service. If all three governments have to meet again to ensure the future of this service, then let’s make it happen.”

A news release from the Liberal causus office said Theriault stressed the ferry link directly employs approximately 130 people in both Nova Scotia and neighboring New Brunswick. “The number of indirect jobs negatively affected if the ferry is lost would be disastrous,” said the Digby-Annapolis MLA. “Truckers, tourism operators, fish plant workers and numerous other jobs that are critical to the economy of Nova Scotia are at stake.”

Future business in western Nova Scotia hinges on the stability of the ferry service and Theriault says the uncertainty around the issue has already cost the area opportunities.

Although ongoing talks to save the Digby to Saint John ferry service were acknowledged, Theriault questioned whether the ferry would be included in Atlantic Gateway costs and insisted the Conservative government supply funding to this vital piece of transportation infrastructure. “With the rising cost of fuel around the world, businesses in western Nova Scotia will rely more on the ferry service to transport people and products to important markets in Upper Canada and the United States, our biggest trading partner in the world.”