Lethbridge, area seeing tourism spike, and many are Canadians
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Ottawa makes good on promise to cut Confederation Bridge tolls, ferry fares in Eastern Canada
The federal government is slashing tolls on the Confederation Bridge and lowering ferry fares in Eastern Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced while in Prince Edward Island on Monday. It's always a good day when you wake up on Prince Edward Island, and today is an especially good day. It's a big day, Carney said at the announcement on P.E.I.'s South Shore, with the Confederation Bridge visible behind him. Effective Aug. 1, the cost of crossing the bridge which connects P.E.I. with New Brunswick will fall to $20 from $50.25. Fares for passengers, cars and commercial traffic on ferry services in Eastern Canada that are federally supported will go down by 50 per cent. Those ferries provide service between: Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Que., and Souris, P.E.I. Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S. Saint John, N.B., and Digby, N.S. Today's announcement will mean more Canadians can see more of Atlantic Canada, Carney said. WATCH | Prime Minister Mark Carney on cuts to Confederation Bridge toll, key ferry fares in Eastern Canada: Fares for passengers and vehicles on the ferry that operates between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are also going down. Ottawa has pledged to increase funding to the operator, Marine Atlantic, to lower the price by 50 per cent. Ottawa is also freezing commercial freight rates on that route. The costs of the bridge and ferry don't just fall on tourists, Carney said. If we are going to build a stronger, more united economy, and we are doing that, we are going to need to make it more affordable to travel around this country, for people and for businesses. P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz is pictured with the Confederation Bridge in the background on Monday, July 28, 2025. Photo: CBC / Wayne Thibodeau For Rob Lantz, premier of P.E.I., Monday's announcement validated his months-long lobbying effort to reduce the fees. (new window) I've been a real pest, a thorn in the side of everyone in Ottawa, he said. We've been pushing for this forever. It's been 28 years that we've paid outrageous tolls on that bridge behind us and this is going to save Prince Edward Islanders tens of millions of dollars. The move will make life more affordable on P.E.I., he said That bridge effectively acted as a tariff on everything we exported. And that is greatly, greatly reduced today. 'An important decision for us' The importance of affordable travel is not lost on Joanne Thompson, the MP for the Newfoundland and Labrador riding of St. John's East and the federal fisheries minister. We are reliant on Marine Atlantic as part of our connection with the Atlantic Canadian provinces and also the rest of Canada, Thompson said. More than 60 per cent of all goods transported to and from Newfoundland are handled by Marine Atlantic, the federal government said. It also transports about 90 per cent of all perishable items like fresh produce and propane for home heating. Enlarge image (new window) Effective Aug. 1, the cost of crossing the bridge which connects P.E.I. with New Brunswick will fall to $20 from $50.25. Photo: Radio-Canada This is an important decision for us on connectivity, Thompson said. It's an important decision for our economy and it is important for our families. Minister of Transport and Internal Trade Chrystia Freeland echoed that statement and said the announcement brings measurable economic benefits during a really challenging time for Canada. If we work together, if we build one Canadian economy, if we build Canada strong we can give more to ourselves, we can do more for ourselves and each other than anyone can take away from us, Freeland said. This is Carney's first official visit to P.E.I. as prime minister since the federal election. The announcement makes good on his campaign pledge to reduce the Confederation Bridge tolls and cut ferry rates. Corrections An earlier version of this story on the CBC News website (new window) quoted a federal government press release saying fuel surcharges on some ferry routes were being scrapped. In fact, the government did not make that announcement Monday. Jul 28, 2025 11:46 AM EDT Alex MacIsaac (new window) · CBC News · Associate producer Alex is an associate producer and reporter with CBC News in Prince Edward Island. He grew up on P.E.I. and graduated from Holland College's journalism and communications program. He can be reached at
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
CCL vs. NCLH: Which Cruise Stock is the Better Buy Now?
Cruise operators are navigating a strong wave of consumer demand, with occupancy, onboard spending, and forward bookings all trending higher. In this environment, Carnival Corporation & plc CCL and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. NCLH are leveraging sharply different strategies to capture market share and deliver shareholder value. While both are seeing top-line growth, differences in scale, cost discipline and financial flexibility are beginning to set them apart. For investors seeking exposure to the cruise sector's cyclical upside and structural transformation, the key question is: Which of these travel stocks offers a more compelling risk-reward profile right now? Let's break down the fundamentals, growth outlook, and valuation to determine the better buy. The Case for CCL Carnival is building structural momentum through a combination of fleet rationalization, capacity reallocation, and margin-focused initiatives. The company has significantly reshaped its operating model by retiring older, high-cost ships and deploying newer, more efficient vessels to high-demand regions such as the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe. These strategic shifts are improving unit economics and reducing long-term maintenance and dry dock costs, helping to stabilize margins across its global portfolio. At the commercial level, Carnival is leveraging its multi-brand architecture to target a diverse and segmented customer base. With a brand lineup that includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and AIDA, the company is able to differentiate pricing, itineraries, and onboard experiences to cater to a broad spectrum of guests. This segmentation strategy supports pricing flexibility, mitigates geographic and demographic risk, and enhances revenue resilience during volatile periods. The company is also strengthening its digital and loyalty infrastructure to improve commercial efficiency and guest retention. Enhanced mobile apps, pre-cruise booking platforms, and onboard commerce tools are streamlining trip planning while increasing ancillary revenue per passenger. Additionally, Carnival Rewards — a new loyalty program expected to roll out in 2026 — will link cruise perks to total spend and credit card use, positioning Carnival to capture greater wallet share and drive higher repeat rates. Operationally, Carnival continues to benefit from its global scale and centralized sourcing model. With a minimal newbuild pipeline through 2029 and a growing focus on return on invested capital, the company is entering a phase of structurally higher free cash flow generation. These efforts collectively support Carnival's goal of regaining investment-grade credit status while delivering durable, long-term value to shareholders. The Case for NCLH Norwegian Cruise continues to focus on its premium-priced, lower-capacity model targeting affluent guests. The company is executing on its strategy of disciplined capacity growth, innovative ship design and destination-rich itineraries. With the upcoming expansion of its Prima-class fleet, Norwegian Cruise is aiming to enhance onboard experiences and strengthen its brand positioning. The company is also making strides in technology, loyalty integration, and targeted promotions to drive yield improvement. However, Norwegian Cruise faces persistent margin pressure due to elevated dry dock expenses, inflationary costs, and fuel price volatility. These pressures may constrain near-term profitability despite robust pricing trends. While long-term prospects remain promising, cost control and deleveraging remain key watchpoints. Norwegian Cruise's net leverage remains elevated, which could limit financial flexibility in the near term. How Does Zacks Consensus Estimate Compare for CCL & NCLH? The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Carnival's fiscal 2025 sales and EPS suggests year-over-year increases of 5.8% and 40.9%, respectively. In the past 60 days, earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have risen 8.1%. CCL Earnings Estimate Trend The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Norwegian Cruise's 2025 sales and EPS suggests year-over-year increases of 6.2% and 10.4%, respectively. In the past 60 days, earnings estimates for 2025 have declined 1%. NCLH Earnings Estimate Trend Price Performance & Valuation of CCL & NCLH Carnival stock has rallied 59% in the past three months, significantly outpacing its industry and the S&P 500's rise of 29.4% and 15.1%, respectively. Meanwhile, Norwegian Cruise shares have risen 37% in the same time. CCL & NCLH Stock Three-Month Price Performance Image Source: Zacks Investment Research Carnival is trading at a forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 13.63X, below the industry average of 20.26X over the last year. NCLH's forward 12-month P/E multiple sits at 10.61X over the same time frame. End Notes Carnival emerges as the more compelling choice over Norwegian Cruise at this stage, backed by its broader brand reach, improving operating leverage, and strategic focus on margin enhancement. The company's disciplined approach — marked by fleet optimization, digital innovation, and multi-brand diversification — is driving structural improvements across its global portfolio. Carnival's stronger earnings momentum, upward estimate revisions, and a visible path toward investment-grade credit restoration reinforce its position as a more stable and scalable cruise operator. While Norwegian offers an appealing premium product and long-term brand value, its elevated leverage, ongoing margin pressures, and softer earnings revisions limit its near-term attractiveness. With a more favorable trajectory on both operational and financial fronts, Carnival appears better positioned to deliver sustainable value in the ongoing cruise recovery cycle. CCL currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), whereas NCLH carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. 5 Stocks Set to Double Each was handpicked by a Zacks expert as the favorite stock to gain +100% or more in the months ahead. They include Stock #1: A Disruptive Force with Notable Growth and Resilience Stock #2: Bullish Signs Signaling to Buy the Dip Stock #3: One of the Most Compelling Investments in the Market Stock #4: Leader In a Red-Hot Industry Poised for Growth Stock #5: Modern Omni-Channel Platform Coiled to Spring Most of the stocks in this report are flying under Wall Street radar, which provides a great opportunity to get in on the ground floor. While not all picks can be winners, previous recommendations have soared +171%, +209% and +232%. Download Atomic Opportunity: Nuclear Energy's Comeback free today. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Sponsored content: Holiday Haul
Sponsored content: Holiday Haul We head to Oak Island Resort to check out how they're celebrating the festive season.
