Spring has arrived and still the Nova Scotia government has not secured a ferry for the Yarmouth-to-Maine run, causing growing concerns for members of the transportation industry.
Ed Rose is treasurer of the Truckers Association of Nova Scotia in Yarmouth County. He says many in his industry are becoming concerned with rumours the new Yarmouth ferry may not accommodate trucks.
“It would almost be as if the boat was doomed to fail, without revenue from the trucking industry,” said Rose.
Official Opposition Leader Jamie Baillie is calling on the Nova Scotia government to clear up the uncertainty for the sake of the province's trucking and tourism industries.
“It's for tourism, yes, but it's also important for Nova Scotia's exporters,” said Baillie.
The government has not said what kind of vessel Bay Ferries is trying to secure, or when it will be in place.
The Department of Transportation declined an interview request on Monday, saying while those critical talks are ongoing, the department will not be commenting. Bay Ferries also declined to comment.
In early Feburary, the Mayor of Portland approached a Maine senator to ask for help in acquiring a former U.S. navy catamaran for the service.
Nova Scotia Transportation Minister Geoff MacLellan won't say whether the U.S. navy is involved in current discussions.
Last week, MacLellan said he's still confident the service can be marketed effectively, even with a late start.
“We're having discussions that will finalize all of this – these agreements and the relationship we will have for a long time,” said MacLellan.
Baillie says the reason for his concern is spelled out in a report commissioned after government stopped subsidizing Bay Ferries for the same service in 2010.
“It told us to not get a catamaran,” said Baillie. “It told us to make sure it could take trucks. It told us to get it going early in the year, so that we could market it appropriately.”
For now, the trucking and tourism industries are left waiting for an official announcement.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Sarah Ritchie.