Marine Atlantic gets half-a-billion-dollar jump start

NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — The Government of Canada has earmarked $521 million to revitalize struggling Crown Corp. Marine Atlantic (MAI) and renew its fleet and shore facilities.

MAI will invest a further $84 million over five years to complete upgrades to terminal and port infrastructure at all three of its ports, including the construction of a new terminal building in North Sydney and upgrades at both the Port aux Basques and Argentia terminal buildings.

The improvements at MAI, a vital transportation link between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, are expected to better accommodate customers and enhance safety and security.

"Today’s investment will help Marine Atlantic Inc. renew its fleet and shore facilities, and improve the quality and reliability of its services," said Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport).

Rob Crosbie, chair of MAI’s board of directors, said the funding will enable the corporation to move forward with its plans to renew the ferry service.

"This is the first time in many years that the organization has received a commitment of five-year funding,” he said. “This investment will provide the necessary assets to meet the corporation’s mandate for this vital ferry service."

Trucking companies have been complaining for years about delays and shoddy service.

Earlier this year, the company introduced a new reservation service, which proved to create more problems than it fixed.

The ferry attempted to address those issues, but some smaller truckers still aren’t on board with the changes.

Officials are hoping the additional government funding can help add capacity and alleviate wait-times. 

When added to Government of Canada funds announced since 2007, this most recent $521 million cash infusion will bring the total incremental government funding to MAI to almost a billion dollars.

As part of this incremental funding, the Government of Canada dedicated $12.5 million in funding for shore-based priority projects under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund in 2009.