Two days before the Nova Scotia election was called, a big announcement was made.
“We have a deal,” said Economics Development Minister Graham Steele on September 5th. “We have successfully concluded an agreement with STM Quest.”
But on Wednesday, CTV News learned there is no signed agreement yet.
The information was confirmed by email from the province’s Department of Economics Development late in the afternoon.
The information came as a shock to incoming Premier Stephen McNeil.
“I think like most Nova Scotians, we believed they went down, made an announcement,” says McNeil. “Graham Steele made an announcement.”
A public relations officer hired by STM-Quest says there are still details to be worked out.
According to the email, the government spokespersonsaid a few things still have to fall in place and the province is hopeful a deal will be completed soon.
CTV News was unable to get details or a comment from Steele, and an official in Premier Darrell Dexter’s office explained that out-going government’s don’t offer comment.
However, McNeil vows there will be a Yarmouth ferry.
“We obviously look at the deal, see if there is a way to strike a deal with this company,” explains McNeil. “If not, we pursue another operator.”
CTV News was also unable to contact STM-Quest President Steve Durrell on his cell phone.
We were told the company currently does not have an office.
Ferry service, according to the September agreement is scheduled to start in May next year.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Rick Grant
