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The federal government’s backup plan in case of prolonged closure of the Confederation Bridge is full of outdated information.
The Graphic received the 2023 Confederation Bridge Continuity Plan from Transport Canada through the Access to Information and Privacy Act(ATIP).
The department is mandated to produce an annual plan and the use of PEI ferries to Nova Scotia and Îles de la Madeleine are part of the 2023 plan, but some of the information is obsolete.
In reference to using the Wood Islands-Caribou service the document lists the Holiday Island multiple times. That ferry has been out of service since July 2022.
The document suggests that ferry service will play a vital role in the time of bridge closure and refers to the 2019 schedule for the ferry from Souris to Îles de la Madeleine, multiple times in the document. It also mentions the usage of MV Vacancier, the CTMA ferry which has been out of operation since 2020 and was recently sold for scrap to India.
The Graphic received the following response from Transport Canada after requesting an updated plan.”
As the plan contains protected third-party or sensitive information, you may seek a copy through an Access to Information request.”
Rural Municipality of Belfast Councillor Trisha Carter said since the construction of the Confederation Bridge, the government has been neglecting the ferry service.
“It is frustrating and disheartening to see the lack of effort from the government,” she said.
Ms Carter said it not just an eastern PEI issue.
Lots of people use the ferry for medical services and trade. People who depend on horse racing could have their livelihoods destroyed, she added.
She said the government should start operating ferries all year round.
“We’re not seeing deep freezing in the sea like we used to 15-20 years ago,” she said.
That does not give confidence to people, said Ms Carter, referring to the outdated contigency plan. She is also discouraged by the lack of planning from the government.
She said the bridge accident in Baltimore earlier this year has brought to light it could happen in PEI too.
“Nobody saw that coming. This is why a ferry is heavily required,” she said.
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