Halifax lands funding for new zero emission transit ferry route
The Halifax Regional Municipality is getting a new ferry route that will run from Bedford, N.S. to downtown Halifax and will be the first zero-emission ferry in Nova Scotia.
The provincial and federal governments announced Thursday its contributing $3.3 million towards a study that will explore technology options for an electric ferry.
The Nova Scotia government is investing more than $1.1 million for the initial planning phase of the ferry, while federal contributions are $1.3 million. Halifax Regional Municipality is investing $917,000.
The Mill Cove ferry route will depart from a new net-zero energy efficient building in Bedford.
"Getting moving on this long-anticipated ferry project will open up Halifax Harbour in new ways to more people, creating exciting opportunities for communities to connect while helping residents green their commute," Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in a news release.
Kelsey Lane from the Ecology Action Centre said a potential energy efficient ferry would help create a more green community.
“If it's electric, it provides more affordable options,” said Lane. “And it's a wonderful way to get to where you want to go. It’s exactly the kind of project we are looking for.”
Once operational, the new ferry will mark the third route operated by Halifax Transit. It also has routes that run from downtown Halifax to Alderney Landing in Dartmouth, as well as Halifax to Woodside.
Beverly Morrison who lives in the area, said a new ferry would be good news for seniors.
"They can't get to places and that would be awesome for them to get to Halifax instead of travelling by bus,” said Morrison
The first phase of the project will look at a concept design for the new Bedford terminal, along with the retrofit design of the current Halifax terminal. Both are expected to be completed in early 2022.
Detailed design and construction will begin following phase one.
"As the municipality continues to grow, so does the need for a faster and better-connected transit network. Connecting Bedford to downtown Halifax by this new ferry route is an integral step that will improve transit services in an environmentally friendly way." Dave Reage, executive director, Halifax Transit, said in a news release.
The zero-emission project is part of the province's climate change strategy.
"Transitioning away from diesel ferries is part of the electrification of public transit systems, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and will help us toward our target of cutting emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030," Kelly Regan, minister of community services, said in a release.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Attempt to have murder charge quashed against alleged serial killer dismissed by judge
A motion filed by the man accused of killing four Indigenous women in Winnipeg to have one of those murder charges quashed has been dismissed by the judge – weeks before the start of his trial.
Government proposes new policy for federally regulated employees to disconnect from work
In their 2024 budget, the federal government wants to amend the Canada Labour Code, so employers in federally regulated sectors will eliminate work-related communication with employees outside of scheduled hours. If implemented, this would affect roughly 500,000 across the country.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.