Mr. Speaker, Transport Canada advises as follows.
Ontario is the only province in which Transport Canada operates docking facilities to provide ferry services to islands.
In the Ontario region of transport there are five ferry operations that provide services to islands. The five ferry operations are listed and pertinent information is included.
Tobermory to South Baymouth (Manitoulin Island): Manitoulin Island is accessible by Highway No. 6 of the provincial highway system, therefore the residents of Manitoulin Island do not depend solely on the ferry for access to the mainland. Because of the highway access, the Manitoulin Island operation may not be a good example for a cost comparison. It should also be noted that the ferry to South Baymouth is operated by the province of Ontario, Owen Sound Transportation Company Ltd. and it operates for only six months of the year.
The following maintenance and repair costs have been incurred at the Tobermory/South Baymouth sites:
Tobermory/South Baymouth:
1990-91 Wharf repairs $4,500 1991-92 Wharf repairs $129,200 1992-93 Wharf repairs $396,300 1993-94 - - 1994-95 - - 1995-96 Electrical Repairs $500
Kingsville to Pelee Island/Leamington to Pelee Island: The Pelee Island residents rely solely on the provincially operated ferry for
access to the mainland. The operator of the ferry operations is the Owen Sound Transportation Company Ltd.
The ferry structures at Pelee Island, Kingsville and Leamington were rebuilt just recently in a joint federal-provincial government agreement that was made under ministerial agreement signed in December 1992 by Transport Canada and the Ministry of Transportation and Communication. The project started in 1992 and was completed in 1995. The Transport Canada share for this project is shown below:
Kingsville Ferry Terminal $2,285,000 Leamington Ferry Terminal $3,663,000 Pelee Island Ferry Terminal $4,868,000
Millhaven to Stella: The Amherst Island residents rely solely on the provincially owned ferries for access to the mainland. The ferries are operated by the twonship of Amherst Island. The following maintenance and repair costs have been incurred at the Millhaven and Stella sites:
Millhaven: 1990-91 Timber crib repairs $22,000 1991-92 Wharf repairs $46,000 1992-93 Wharf repairs $359,000 1993-94 Wharf repairs $356,000
Stella: 1991-92 Wharf repairs $34,000 1994-95 Wharf reconstruction $37,000 1995-96 Wharf reconstruction $443,000
Wolf Island to Cape Vincent, New York: The Wolf Island residents rely on two ferries for access to mainland. The Kingston ferry provides year round service; however, Transport Canada provides no infrastructure for this operation. The Horne's Point ferry is a privately operated international ferry to Cape Vincent, New York. The following maintenance and repair costs have been incurred at the Horne's point ferry structure:
Wolf Island: 1991-92 Wharf repairs $39,000 1994-95 Wharf repairs $50,000 1995-96 Wharf repairs $432,000
Moosonee to Moose Factory Island: Moosonee school children rely on the privately owned ferry for transportation to and from school each day. The ferry operates from ice out, usually the first week of June, to freeze up, usually the last week of October each year. Also the ferry service provides access to the hospital that is located on Moose Factory Island. The alternative access methods to the island are freighter, canoe, helicopter and in the winter, cars, trucks and snowmobiles.
The following maintenance and repair costs have been incurred at the Moose Factory site:
1990-91 Annual service contract $14,250 1991-92 Annual service contract $25,250 1992-93 New timber floats $23,000 1992-93 Annual service contract $8,750 1993-94 Annual service contract $23,000 1994-95 Float modifications $2,500
In all cases mentioned above Transport Canada owns the main structure for the ferry operation, but it does not own the ramps for the loading and unloading of vehicules and passengers. Part (b) of Question No. 24, making a percentage comparison to other marine structures may not be a fair comparison because the structures are substantially different in load requirement and overall size. Also, the location of a structure can have a dramatic effect on the yearly maintenance cost, i.e., ice conditions, wind and wave action, as well as current speed or flow.