MARINE ATLANTIC INC.
Profile:
President and Chief Executive Officer: Murray Hupman
Chairperson of the Board of Directors: Gary O’Brien
Board of Directors: 10 directors (including the Chief Executive Officer)
Size: 1,283 employees at peak employment in 2022/23
Marine Atlantic Inc. (MAI): $182.5 million in 2025-2026
- $23.5 million increase in funding compared to last year is due to Budget 2024 top up funding to support operations and to allow the corporation to maintain fares at current levels on the Port aux Basques route until the end of fiscal year 2025-26.
MAIN ESTIMATES 2025-26:
MARINE ATLANTIC INC.
SUBJECT: Ensuring continued affordable ferry services
LOCATION: Newfoundland and Labrador
Issue/Source: Keeping fares affordable on Marine Atlantic Inc’s ferry service
Date: June 3, 2025
Suggested Responses
- The Government of Canada is committed to helping Marine Atlantic Inc. deliver a safe, reliable and cost-efficient ferry service connecting Newfoundland and Labrador to mainland Canada.
- Marine Atlantic Inc. is seeking access to $182,531,084 in planned spending authorities.
- The funds will serve to cover the operating shortfall and capital requirements to deliver Marine Atlantic Inc.’s constitutionally mandated ferry service between the Island of Newfoundland and Canada’s mainland.
- Among other activities, these funds will enable Marine Atlantic Inc. to keep the cost of the service affordable for users, specifically by keeping the rates on the Port aux Basques service frozen for the 8th year in a row.
IF PRESSED
- Platform commitments to lower fares on Marine Atlantic Inc.’s ferry service were made in spring 2025. The Government is looking at delivery options.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
- Marine Atlantic Inc. is a non-agent Crown corporation incorporated under the Canada Business Corporation Act. Marine Atlantic Inc. does not have its own enabling legislation.
- Marine Atlantic Inc. is responsible for operating the ferry service between the Island of Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. Its vessels carry people, vehicles, and commercial units that deliver goods and products to and from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Marine Atlantic Inc. fulfils Canada’s constitutional obligation to provide a daily, year-round ferry service between North Sydney, Nova Scotia and Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador. It also provides a seasonal service between North Sydney and Argentia, Newfoundland and Labrador.
- Marine Atlantic Inc. owns three ferry terminals and operates a fleet of four ice-class vessels, which can accommodate both commercial freight and travellers at the same time.
- In 2024-25, Marine Atlantic Inc. transported 359,320 passengers, 141,582 passenger vehicles, and over 96,349 commercial vehicles, and employed 1,100 people.
- Through Budget 2024, the Government proposed to provide $124.1 million over five years to Marine Atlantic Inc. starting in 2024-25, with $32.9 million in remaining amortization, to support continued operations and keep fares affordable.
- Annual base reference level funds, along with funds allocated in Budget 2019 (new vessel), contribute to the final 2025-26 Main Estimates figure of $182,531,542 ($140,456,084 operating; $42,075,000 capital).