Name of transfer payment program: Ferry Services Contribution Program
Start date: 1941
End date: March 31, 2014
Description: The Ferry Services Contribution Program provides financial assistance to maintain three inter-provincial ferry services in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec. More specifically, the contributions are for the service across the Northumberland Strait, between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia, operated by Northumberland Ferries Ltd.; the service between Cap-aux-Meules, Îles de la Madeleine, Quebec, and Souris, Prince Edward Island, operated by CTMA Traversier Ltée; and the service between Saint John, New Brunswick, and Digby, Nova Scotia, operated by Bay Ferries Ltd.
Strategic outcome: An efficient transportation system
Results Achieved:
- Certain regional and remote Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec communities continue to have access to national transportation options.
- Canadians in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec benefited from reliable ferry services with service providers meeting or exceeding the minimum level of service established for the ferry services.
- Ferry services were operated in a safe and efficient manner
| 2011–12
Actual spending |
2012–13
Actual spending |
2013–14
Planned spending |
2013–14
Total authorities |
2013–14
Actual spending |
Variance | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total grants | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Total contributions | 26.3 | 32.8 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 28.4 | 0.6 |
| Total other types of transfer payments | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Total program | 26.3 | 32.8 | 29.0 | 29.0 | 28.4 | 0.6 |
Comments on variance: Fewer than expected maintenance and repair projects were undertaken by each ferry operator during 2013–14.
Audits completed or planned: not applicable
Evaluations completed or planned: 2014–15
Engagement of applicants and recipients: Transport Canada will engage the recipients in the following manners: discuss and provide clear template-based contribution agreements, leases and charter party agreements; annually review and negotiate the performance objectives and budget required to deliver the ferry services as per the terms of the agreements; inform of service standards and reporting requirements based on the risk profile of each recipient; maintain an ongoing dialogue to assess change and progress through monthly conference calls with each recipient; follow-up as required on project activities, funding requirements and reporting requirements; and notify of the requirement to audit and inform of audit findings.