P.E.I. premier says Carney team made a verbal commitment to end bridge and ferry tolls

P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz has announced that positive news regarding Confederation Bridge tolls and Northumberland Ferries rates is on the horizon for Prince Edward Islanders. This announcement comes after a meeting between Lantz and other premiers with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ottawa.

In a statement released by Lantz’s office, he expressed gratitude towards the federal government for addressing the concerns of Islanders and committing to removing the financial barriers that impact the province’s economy. The P.E.I. government has long argued that charging residents and businesses to cross to the mainland via the Confederation Bridge or car-passenger ferry is unjust, particularly since the bridge is considered a continuation of the TransCanada Highway.

Currently, the round-trip toll for a standard two-axle vehicle to cross the Confederation Bridge is $50.25, while the round-trip fare for the Northumberland Ferries service is $86 for passenger vehicles up to 20 feet in length and 7 feet in height.

Following the meeting with Carney and other provincial and territorial leaders, a commitment was made to develop a national trade strategy aimed at facilitating trade across provincial and territorial borders by Canada Day. This development comes just days before a potential federal election is called.

Liberal MP for Malpeque, Heath MacDonald, took to social media to share the news, stating that positive changes to the Confederation Bridge tolls will be announced soon. Additionally, Charlottetown MP Sean Casey emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing the toll on the bridge, a result of advocacy efforts by P.E.I. MPs.

The push for fairer toll costs on the Confederation Bridge has gained momentum in recent months, with the Canadian Federation of Independent Businesses launching an awareness campaign called “Free the Bridge.” The campaign urged federal officials and future election candidates to consider eliminating the round-trip toll collected from vehicles leaving the island.

Business owners like Joe Sawler of JustJoes Automotive in Stratford, P.E.I., have highlighted the financial strain that bridge tolls place on small businesses. Sawler noted that the toll adds costs to goods and impacts the overall operation of businesses in the region.

The commitment from the federal government to address tolls and ferry rates is a significant step towards creating a fairer economic environment for Prince Edward Islanders. The upcoming changes are expected to have a positive impact on residents, businesses, and the overall economy of the province.