Ferry Services Contribution Program: Departmental Plan 2018–2019

CR 3: Efficient Transportation System - Supports efficient market access to products through investment in Canada's trade corridors; adopts rules to ensure Canadian air travellers have sufficient choice and increased service; and manages transportation assets to ensure value for Canadians.

Transport Canada manages its assets effectively - Percentage of Transport Canada owned and managed transportation assets that remain operational.

Program Inventory: Transportation Infrastructure

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 following services:

• Across the Northumberland Strait between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia operated by Northumberland Ferries Ltd.;
• Between Cap-aux-Meules, Îles de la Madeleine, Quebec and Souris, Prince Edward Island operated by CTMA Traversier Ltée; and
• Between Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia operated by Bay Ferries Ltd..

The Program is expected to have the following results:

• Ferry services in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec will continue to be operational;
• Certain remote communities will have access to regional transportation options; and
• Safe, efficient and reliable ferry services between Cap-aux-Meules, Îles de la Madeleine and Souris, Prince Edward Island; Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island and Caribou, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia.

Industry-related

This program is developed for three ferry services operated by the following recipients:

• CTMA Traversier Ltée;
• Northumberland Ferries Ltd.; and
• Bay Ferries Ltd..

All three recipients are private companies.

We:

• Discuss and provide recipients with 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 recipients of service standards and reporting requirements based on each recipient’s the risk profile;
• Maintain an an ongoing dialogue with recipients to assess change and progress via monthly conference calls;
• Follow-up with recipients as required on project activities, funding requirements and reporting requirements; and
• Notify recipients of the requirement to conduct audits and inform us of the audit findings.