Will declining ridership numbers affect the CAT Ferry's contract renewal?
The CAT Ferry is pictured in Yarmouth, N.S., on June 5, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Jonathan MacInnis)
Bay Ferries has released the most recent ridership numbers for the CAT Ferry, which travels between Yarmouth, N.S., and Bar Harbor, Maine.
Last month's figures show almost 13,000 reservations for this sailing season compared to over 16,500 at the same
Video taken on board a little more than a week ago shows a nearly-empty ship heading to Maine. Canadians boycotting vacations to the United States in reaction to the trade war may be a reason for the drop in numbers.
'I'm actually not concerned at all with the drop in passengers because it is one way,' said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood.
Yarmouth resident Lee Corporon is retired and, to pass the time, he heads to the wharf to watch the vessel load and unload.
'I think there was 42 vehicles that just went on the boat, on the ferry, and I think two days ago when it docked, I counted 78 coming off,' he said.
CATT Ferry
The CAT Ferry is pictured in Yarmouth, N.S., on June 5, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Jonathan MacInnis)
The province and Bay Ferries have a contract to operate the ship through next season. The province has said ridership will play a part in determining its willingness to sign a new deal.
'An economic impact study of the service is currently underway, which will inform decisions on the future of the service,' said a spokesperson for Nova Scotia's Department of Public Works in a statement to CTV News.
Mood believes the drop in numbers is a blip on the radar, not a trend.
'I think they've seen that the numbers are climbing in previous years so no, not worried at all that that will be taken into consideration,' she said.
'I absolutely can't see a government shutting down an international highway to the U.S. where there's tens of millions of people.'
Phillip Mooney, chair of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association, says the bookings look good on the American side. He adds Yarmouth isn't the only entry point seeing a decline in Canadians heading south of the border.
'The crossings in Windsor, the crossings in British Columbia, the cancellations and disruptions of some of the air services going to the United States,' he said.
The full picture will be clearer when Bay Ferries releases its updated passenger numbers, which is expected next week.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Globe and Mail
2 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Alberta resumes buying U.S. alcohol and gambling machines, months after pause meant to fight tariffs
Alberta is buying American alcohol and gambling machines again, three months after Premier Danielle Smith announced restrictions aimed at fighting back against U.S. tariffs. Service Alberta Minister Dale Nally says the move signals a 'renewed commitment to open and fair trade' with the United States. Smith said in March that the province would no longer buy U.S. alcohol and video lottery terminals, or sign contracts with American companies. That came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump slapped heavy tariffs on Canadian goods and energy. Nally says the decision to resume buying U.S. alcohol and gambling machines 'sets the stage for more constructive negotiations' ahead of a renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico trade agreement. Ontario, Manitoba reach internal trade agreement, promise alcohol sales deal by end of June The minister says Albertans are encouraged to continue supporting local producers, even as more U.S. options return to store shelves. Nally said in April that the province was pausing its policy around procurement from U.S. companies 'in the spirit of diplomacy.' He said since the province's retaliatory measures were first announced in early March, the Trump administration had put a hold on further tariffs.
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Laval and police brotherhood sign ‘bold' new collective agreement
The City of Laval and the Police Brotherhood signed a new collective agreement for the Laval Police Service on Friday—a deal Mayor Stéphane Boyer described as 'fairly bold, fairly innovative compared to other police forces.' The agreement, in principle, was ratified by 78 per cent of the police brotherhood's members. It includes the transfer of certain administrative duties to civilian staff, freeing up 20,000 additional investigative hours for police officers—at a lower cost to the city. The new contract also introduces the deployment of cadets across Laval to manage traffic, representing another salary-saving measure for the municipality. In terms of compensation, the agreement includes salary increases totalling 22.2 per cent over five years. This figure combines base wage hikes with 'urban security premiums' tied to the unique challenges officers face in large urban centres. The city also aimed to boost police presence on the streets to strengthen residents' sense of safety. In an interview, Mayor Boyer said he was particularly proud of the deal. 'What we were looking for was greater efficiency and more officers on the streets. This agreement allows us to achieve that. And in my view, it's quite a bold and innovative deal compared to other police forces—recovering thousands of hours of investigation and street presence. We're really pleased with the outcome, and I think it's going to be a win-win, both for the officers and for the public,' said Boyer. Sylvain Tardif, president of the Laval Police Brotherhood, also welcomed the new agreement, saying it 'recognizes the dedication and professionalism officers bring to their work every day in keeping Laval residents safe.' 'The new contract offers working conditions that reflect the growing responsibilities of our officers, who work in a complex environment and are facing an evolving and increasingly sophisticated criminal landscape,' Tardif added. Pierre Brochet, director of the Laval Police Service, also noted that the new agreement will allow police to 'fight crime more effectively, while ensuring a stronger presence in the community.' The collective agreement will be in effect from Jan. 1, 2024, to Dec. 31, 2028. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 6, 2025. By Lia Lévesque, The Canadian Press
CTV News
2 hours ago
- CTV News
Quebec open to extending inquiry into SAAQclic
Commissioner Denis Gallant of the Commission of Inquiry into the Management of the Modernization of the Société de l'assurance automobile (SAAQ) IT Systems is awaiting the start of the public inquiry into the failures of the SAAQclic platform in Montreal on Thursday, April 24 2025. A public inquiry into the SAAQ's costly digital transformation has revealed that it could cost the province nearly half a billion dollars more than originally anticipated. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)
