TMAC LOBSTERBASH

doors, new vestibules, brick repairs, siding, lighting and signage; the installation of underground site services for water, sewer, and electrical; new ticket booths for Bay Ferries and new PIL Booths for Canada Border Services Agency; a site reconfiguration, and more.

The cost was divided into thirds and covered by three levels of government. The federal and provincial governments each contributed up to $3 million, with the Town of Yarmouth ($1.5 million), the Municipality of Yarmouth ($1.2 million), and the Municipality of Argyle ($300,000) rounding out the funding.

“We are thrilled to announce that the terminal is now back in service, reviving the vital link between the gateway to Nova Scotia and the United States,” said Lena Metlege Diab, MP for Halifax West, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities during the recent event. “This redevelopment project will provide residents of Yarmouth and the region with safe and efficient transportation options and connection to global markets while helping us welcome tourists to our beautiful province and provide unique visitor experiences.”

Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood said a great deal of work took place, and had a list of thanks for those who carried out the work and those who oversaw the project.

“Their efforts ensured the work was completed in time for this tourist season,” she said. “It’s been challenging the last few years without the service, but we made it through. We now have an upgraded terminal to welcome visitors back to Nova Scotia. Having The Cat sailing into our harbour once again is a blessing for Yarmouth and all of Nova Scotia.”

Yarmouth Municipal Warden John Cunningham said as an entry point not only to Nova Scotia, but also to Canada, the terminal project will have a huge impact on the economy as it helps to facilitate the movement of visitors coming here to spend their time and money.

Argyle’s Deputy Warden Nicole Albright said the improvements have increased functionality.

“The relocation of the inspection lines makes it more convenient for the Canada Border Services Agency, and the new ticketing booths improve the flow of traffic for Bay Ferries. The economic impact of The Cat ferry on the tourism industry, especially in our southwest region, cannot be understated.”

An invitation was extended to the provincial government – which contracts the ferry service – to attend the event, but no representative was sent. There was also no provincial comment provided for a media release. This baffled and concerned many who attended the event.

“It makes one question the support that this service is going to get, because the province plays a very key role, particularly around marketing, and generating tourism interest in Nova Scotia,” said Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill. “We’ve got this ferry linked to one of the biggest tourism markets in the world so we do need the province onside for this to be successful.”

“We also need to keep reminding people; visitors that travel to Nova Scotia on this ferry generally stay longer and spend twice as much. They’re a high valued tourist. This ferry is a major contributor to our economy, particularly in rural Nova Scotia.”

The previous week the province had asked Bay Ferries for daily passenger figures to date. Bay Ferries says it immediately provided the figures but declined the province’s request to post daily numbers on its website, saying “It would create an impossible working environment for our company and its people, and we know of no other transportation company in the world who makes anything

resembling this type of daily disclosure.”

Public Works Minister

Kim Masland, in releasing the numbers, said, “This is why we are providing these numbers directly today. If

Bay Ferries will not be fully transparent, we certainly will be.” For its part, Bay Ferries noted at no time since entry into its contract in 2016 has it declined to provide requested ticket information to the provincial government.

Bay Ferries’ figures showed that during 16 days of operation from May 19 to June 16, 1,661 passengers and 762 vehicles sailed from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, while 1,127 passengers and 561 vehicles traveled from Yarmouth to Bar Harbor.

The company stressed it was important not to rely on 16 days in the early part of the season to be indicative of the entire season. It had earlier released that as of June 7, around 15,100 tickets had been sold so far for the service.

Bay Ferries says it purposely started its season at a time when passenger numbers would be lower.

“We were coming back after three-year layoff, so for the sake of safety and efficiency and training of crew, we wanted to have some time on the service before the larger crowds of peak summertime,” said Mark MacDonald in an interview.

Asked about the relationship between Bay Ferries and the province, MacDonald said everyone has the same goal.

“I don’t mean to be presumptuous in saying this, but everyone just wants to get this right,” he said. “There’s a huge financial investment involved and governments want that investment to be justified. They want to be supportive

and they wanted taxpayers’ money to be well spent. We understand that and believe in all those things ourselves.”

Having lost the last three sailing seasons; this year’s season and the ones to follow are once again very much rebuilding years.

Although travel has opened up, there are still factors to contend with, some of which include people still being weary to travel given that the pandemic still exists, and the impact of higher gas and diesel on people’s willingness to travel.

High fuel prices are also an issue for Bay Ferries, but MacDonald said traveling to and from Bar Harbor helps on that front.

“The consumption of fuel on the Bar Harbor route is 60-65 per cent of what it would be on Portland’s route,” he said, adding the company takes various fuel management measures. For instance, sometimes if all passengers are on board, The Cat will depart a half hour earlier. This allows the ferry to maintain its arrival schedule while reducing its speed to conserve fuel.

Meanwhile, as part of Bay Ferries’ contract to provide transportation, it is responsible for marketing the ferry. Marketing Nova Scotia as a destination naturally becomes part of that.

But promoting Nova Scotia is a shared responsibility and can’t be one that falls solely on the shoulders of the ferry operator.

“There’s no question it has to work in partnership and that the province (and partners) must market the province as a destination and we must market the ferry service as effectively as we can,” MacDonald said. “It is something where we have to work sideby-side.”