Mr. Speaker, my question is for the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Bay Ferries Limited has announced that it will be closing the service between Digby and Saint John on October 31. This ferry is a vital link between Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, the United States and central Canadian markets.
The announcement is a devastating blow for the local economy, for the families, the students and businesses that depend on the service.
Since privatization of the service, economic conditions have changed in western Nova Scotia. The service is no longer financially viable. How will the federal ministry assume its responsibility and ensure the permanent survival of this vital transportation link?