Ferry deal in drydock
Maybe there are more facts to come out. Maybe there is something in the fine print that contains additional information. Or maybe not. At this point, it’s difficult to get excited about Friday’s announcement concerning the long-term future of the ferry service between Wood Islands and Caribou, N.S.
Pre-announcement hype termed it significant. It attracted political heavyweights from two provinces who praised the federal initiative. Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay was gushing; P.E.I. Premier Wade MacLauchlan termed it a game-changer.
But strangely absent from the guest list were officials from Northumberland Ferries Ltd., the longtime operators of the service and the company with the most to gain or lose.
But if Ottawa is so concerned about the long-term, why was it content to include a mere five-year’s funding in this year’s budget – a deal also warmly welcomed?
The federal government can’t seem to solve the long-term ferry issue so it’s going public, through a Request for Information proposal, looking for contracts of up to 20 years and placing much of the burden on the new operator, including procurement of modern, efficient ferries.
Transport Canada says the RFI process will indicate what is available in providing ferry services. Why couldn’t Transport Canada, on behalf of the taxpayer, simply sit down with Northumberland Ferries Ltd. – which has the expertise and experience - and work out a satisfactory 20-year deal that would include new vessels?
Northumberland Ferries Ltd. will continue to operate the service this year but if it wants to continue past 2017 it will have to bid for it. Any companies interested in running the service are welcome to apply by July 31. But don’t expect a flood of mail. It doesn’t give potential operators much time to prepare a business plan.
After years of grappling with the ferry service, Transport Canada is passing the challenge along to the private sector. The service has always needed public support in the form of a yearly subsidy. It provides operating guarantees to the company and helps keep fares reasonable.
So what magical answers will an RFI provide for Ottawa’s wish list? It will come down to taxpayers’ dollars, as always.
Northumberland Ferries Ltd. was remarkably restrained Friday. It welcomed the report and the long-term stability promised at the end of the rainbow. Really, what else could it say? It knows full well the odds of finding anyone else interested in operating this ferry service are slim. It will likely find itself in a stronger bargaining position when this process is over.
And what about the work of the ferry task force poised to present its report by June 1? This RFI did an end-run on the legislature. And what impact will this RFI have on constitutional requirements from Ottawa to this province if the ferry service shifts to the private sector?
Ottawa may end up with a 20-year ferry deal, a new operator, a solution for new vessels, reasonable fares and everyone will live happily ever after. Maybe.