YARMOUTH, N.S. - Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter is reopening the discussion on the need for a ferry service between Yarmouth and the United States, more than two years after his government stopped subsidizing the money-losing crossing to Maine.
Dexter was in Yarmouth on Monday, where he announced the appointment of a panel of tourism, ferry and business experts to determine what would be needed for an economically viable ferry service in the region.
"The communities in southwest Nova Scotia want to see a ferry service return, as does the government," Dexter said in a statement.
"I look forward to hearing the panel's advice on what needs to be an economically viable solution for the long term."
Liberal member Zach Churchill, who represents Yarmouth, said the panel is not needed because past studies have already shown that the ferry is economically viable.
"The only people still doubting the viability of a ferry are the premier and his cabinet," Churchill said in a statement.
"The only significance of this announcement is that an election is coming and the NDP are trying to mitigate the damage to their brand."
A high-speed ferry link between Yarmouth and Maine was discontinued in December 2009 after the NDP government cancelled an annual $6 million subsidy for the Bay Ferries Ltd. operation. The decision has sparked protests in Yarmouth, where people say it has harmed the local economy.
Dexter said the arms-length, independent panel will review existing studies on the crossing and give advice to help the government come up with a "definitive recommendation" on the ferry service.
