With just four days left in the sailing season, Transportation Minister Lloyd Hines still couldn’t concede that there would be no Yarmouth to Maine ferry crossing.
But his words on Friday seemed to suggest as much.
“We’re really disappointed on behalf of the operators that we haven’t been able to mount a season," said Hines.
This time, unlike in previous weeks and months, Hines appeared to give up on the notion that the 2019 season could be salvaged. As recently as last week the minister said he was still hopeful for a few crossings in 2019. Hines told reporters then that he would provide a progress report this week. This time he had his mind turned to next year.
“We know how important that facility is, particularly to southwestern Nova Scotia, and we’re continuing to work toward a successful season in 2020. "
Still Hines denied that he and the Liberal government was cutting their loses on the file for this year.
"No," said Hines. "We’re disappointed in the fact that we don’t have any crossings. … We’re not ruling anything out when it comes to this commitment.”
He also said that the Bar Harbor, Maine, terminal is still under construction. The province has poured about $20 million into the ferry this year, including $8.5 million for the terminal, while the subsidy for the ferry operator, Bay Ferries, amounts to about $11.4 million. So far there’s been no return for taxpayers this year.
The province has blamed the delays largely on ongoing issues with getting regulatory approval from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Liberals have come under heavy criticism from opposition parties, accusing the government of grossly mismanaging the file and giving false hope to residents and tourism operators in the region.
Conservative MLA Allan MacMaster stood up at Province House on Wednesday, moments after the Tories and Liberals ended a heated debate on the file, and made a simple ask of the government.
“Perhaps the government should say they’re sorry for not providing the service this year.”
