Latest news with #Maritime
CTV News
an hour ago
- Business
- CTV News
Commercial traffic not included in upcoming toll cuts
Despite the cuts to bridge and ferry tolls in P.E.I., commercial traffic will not benefit from the reduction. Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Loading the player instance is taking more time than usual Atlantic Canadians are seeing a mix of savings and disappointment after the federal government announced cuts to bridge and ferry tolls. While Confederation Bridge tolls will drop to $20 this Friday and some ferry fares will be slashed, not everyone is benefiting. Prime Minister Mark Carney, speaking in Albany, P.E.I., yesterday said, 'We would cut the fares on the Eastern Ferries and Marine Atlantic in half, and today we're making good on those promises.' The announcement included a 50 per cent fare reduction for commercial trucks on some Maritime ferries, but Marine Atlantic, which serves Newfoundland, is not included in the discount. Chris McKee of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association expressed his disappointment, stating, 'Our understanding from Marine Atlantic Is that commercial traffic will not benefit from this 50 per cent reduction in fares which is rather disappointing.' Transportation and Internal Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland noted the importance of Marine Atlantic for Newfoundland's supply chain, saying, 'Nearly 65 per cent of goods to and from Newfoundland are transported by Marine Atlantic. That includes fresh produce, medical supplies in home heating fuel cutting those costs means more reliable supply chain and lower prices for consumers.' McKee argues the lack of discounts on Marine Atlantic ferries will negate those benefits. 'Unfortunately, this reduction, while great for tourists and for passenger traffic, sure will likely not lead to any decreases in the price of moving freight to and from Newfoundland, which of course, is ultimately passed along to the consumer,' said McKee. Bay Ferries and Northumberland Ferries will implement the 50 per cent discount for commercial traffic. Marine Atlantic will freeze rates but offer no additional discount. In a statement to CTV, a Marine Atlantic spokesperson said, 'From Marine Atlantic's perspective, we are a federal Crown Corporation that reports to Transport Canada. We will work with them regarding funding decisions that will help offset this loss of revenue, while delivering on their commitment and maintaining an effective service for our customers.' Despite the Marine Atlantic situation, McKee believes the cuts to other ferry services will provide some relief to the trucking industry. 'This change could save a medium sized carrier on the island with, let's say 75 to 80 trucks, close to $150,000-$175,000 a year.' McKee also pointed out the $1,300 cost of sending a truck from North Sydney to Port aux Basques is significant, and discounts on that route are needed, given the high volume of exports to Newfoundland. For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Water and sewer staff in Charlottetown strike over wages, mandatory certification tests
Around 30 water and sewer employees in Charlottetown walked off the job Tuesday for the first time in around 60 years. The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 830 said in a news release that the workers went on strike due to unfair wages, and that the city "has failed to show any willingness to compromise" in the contract negotiations. The workers have been without a contract since Dec. 31, 2022. "We've been at the negotiating table for approximately two and a half years, which equals out to be about 17 times we've been in conciliation," said Robbie Howatt, president of CUPE Local 830. The striking workers are responsible for several duties, including maintaining the city's water and wastewater systems, repairing water and sewer lines, conducting inspections, responding to water main breaks and ensuring water safety guidelines are being met. The union has asked for a 3.5 per cent wage increase each year for the next four years. The city said in a statement that is has offered 2 per cent annual bumps over that timeframe, "which it believes is both fair to employees and fiscally responsible for taxpayers." "If accepted, the offer would mean workers in Charlottetown would earn comparable wages to others in the industry in the Maritime provinces," the statement reads. Howatt said the hourly wage for a senior foreman is currently around the $28 to $35 range. They want everybody to be certified… and they're going to bring in people that have no certification. — Robbie Howatt, CUPE Local 830 Another point of contention for the water and sewer staff is job descriptions and a mandatory certification program. Some workers who have done the job for years now have to write exams through a testing agency. It means some people could be demoted. "We had a foreman here that's been a foreman for 16 years, and he doesn't have his full certification for his job, he's missing half his certification," Howatt said. "They've given us notice and said that if he doesn't get it he's going to be demoted." He said some of the workers have learning disabilities that make it difficult to write the exams for their certifications, but that doesn't mean they can't do their jobs. "It doesn't mean that they're not smart people, it just means that they learn in a different way than other people." The city said it's activated a contingency plan during the strike, and that managers and other contractors will do the work for now. Officials said services will continue and the water supply is safe. Howatt said bringing in contractors during the strike presents another ripple in the city's certification plan. "They'll take those people in here to do our work... and none of them will have certification," he said. "They want everybody to be certified… and they're going to bring in people that have no certification." 'Disheartening' Blaine Parkman, a foreman for the water and sewer utility, said he's disappointed the negotiations have broken down and the city doesn't seem willing to compromise. He said the staff take pride in their work, but that their wages aren't keeping up with the cost of living. "We're not getting the respect from the employer, which is disheartening," Parkman said. "They don't want to provide a fair wage.... We deserve more than that, and I'm just very disappointed." Parkman, who is only a year from retirement, said he wanted to stand with his fellow workers who will be working for the city after he's gone. "I'm not only speaking for myself going out the door, but for these younger people that are coming up that are going to move this utility forward to the future," he said. "We need the city to see us and know that we are serious about what we're talking about here."
CTV News
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Team Nova Scotia wins 2025 Celebration of Light fireworks show
People watch Team Nova Scotia during the Celebration of Light on July 26. (Courtesy: @celeboflight/Instagram) Judges have declared Team Nova Scotia the winner of the 2025 Honda Celebration of Light fireworks competition, The Maritime province, represented by Fireworks FX, also took the People's Choice Award in this year's event, which was the first all-Canadian showcase in its 35-year history. In a news release, organizers said Team Nova Scotia's 'stunning, tightly choreographed performance' earned a score of 633 points, topping Team Yukon's 598 points and Team Quebec's 592 points. 'We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Fireworks FX team and Nova Scotia for their remarkable win,' said Paul Runnals, Celebration of Light executive producer, in a statement. Meanwhile, the long-running competition – which has suffered from unpredictable funding over the years – is once again facing an uncertain future. According to organizers, costs have increased more than 30 per cent since the COVID-19 pandemic, while government support has been shrinking. Organizers said the B.C. government is expected to slash funding from $250,000 this year to $100,000 next year, and the federal government, which provided $250,000 last year through its PacifiCan economic development agency, has not made any further commitments so far. 'Given these challenges, we can't confirm whether the event will return in 2026,' said Runnals, who is calling for a 'sustainable and predictable funding model.' 'We're hopeful we can sit down with private and government partners soon to discuss what that support could look like.' CTV News has reached out to B.C.'s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport for comment on the event's funding trouble. Police said there were no major safety incidents during this year's Celebration of Light, which was subject to heightened security following April's deadly Lapu-Lapu Day attack. A 15-year-old boy was stabbed to death in downtown Vancouver on the night of the first fireworks show, though authorities have not made any connection between his killing and the event.
CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Back-to-school supplies needed
Atlantic Watch It still may be summer, but for some Maritime organizations, back-to-school preparation to help students in need is already underway.
CBC
a day ago
- Business
- CBC
Deep discount for ferry fares as PM Mark Carney makes good on election promise
Passengers and vehicles fares for Marine Atlantic ferries will be 50 per cent cheaper starting Aug. 1. Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement in P.E.I., calling it a 'big day.' The CBC's Jessica Singer reports.
