Mr. Speaker, I rise in this House today to urge the Government of Canada to provide funding to the ferry service between Wood Islands and Caribou with a multi-year contract, for a minimum of five years, providing funding including inflation costs, to ensure the same level of service is maintained.
The Wood Islands to Caribou ferry is a vital service to the tourism, farming, fishing and business interests in the Cardigan riding, Pictou County, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island in general. Providing funding for a service any less than what has been provided at the present time spells a slow death.
I only have to remind the House of the railroad on Prince Edward Island. Make the ferry service so inconvenient that people cannot use it, and it will go the way of the railroad.
I ask the government to stop studying the issue and make a positive decision that will affect the travellers in eastern Prince Edward Island and Pictou County, Nova Scotia.