Advocacy

September 20, 2024

The Honourable Anita Anand Minister of Transport
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, MP Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Member of Parliament for Cardigan House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada Minister of Tourism
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Ministers,

I am writing on behalf of the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island to express our deep concerns regarding the inconsistent ferry service connecting Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia. This ferry service has historically been a reliable and safe transportation link, essential for both islanders and visitors alike. However, over the past few years, we have observed a troubling trend of unreliability and inconsistency in service.

The fire onboard the MV Holiday Island in 2022 took one of our two ferries out of service, effectively reducing the number of sailings in half and significantly impacting travel to and from the island. The situation worsened when the MV Confederation was pulled out of service in July 2023 due to mechanical issues, and most recently, it has been taken out of service again after colliding with the wharf, once more due to mechanical failure. These disruptions have severely affected the flow of tourists and goods to our island.

Additionally, the purchase of the Norwegian ferry, the MV Fanafjord, had been anticipated to enhance our service. However, it is still not available for operation, leaving us without the additional capacity we desperately need. This situation, combined with the ongoing issues with the existing fleet, continues to hinder our ability to provide reliable service.

These ongoing disruptions have led to significant reputational damage, impacting many of our tourism operators, particularly those in the eastern region of PEI. They rely heavily on the timely transport of visitors, and the uncertainty created by these service interruptions poses a serious threat to their livelihoods and the broader economic stability of our island.

We urge your office to prioritize the evaluation and improvement of the ferry service. Addressing these ongoing disruptions is essential to restore confidence among both residents and visitors and to ensure that our tourism industry can thrive without the constant uncertainty caused by ferry cancellations and delays.

We appreciate your attention to this critical matter and look forward to your prompt action to rectify the situation. Our members are eager to work with you and your team to find solutions that will enhance the reliability of this vital transportation link.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Corryn Clemence

CEO, Tourism Industry Association of PEI

cc: The Honourable Dennis King; Premier of Prince Edward Island
The Honourable Cory Deagle, Minister of Fisheries, Tourism, Sport and Culture The Honourable Ernie Hudson, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure