Tucker Says Ferry Toll Is Unfair

With the Liberals saying tolls can't be removed from the Grand Manan Ferry without services being lost, the Conservatives are singing a different tune.

Sharon Tucker is the PC Candidate for Charlotte the Isles and tells CHSJ News, her party is committed to removing the tolls without creating an additional cost to taxpayers and without eliminating ferry runs.

She says the people of Grand Manan are the only people in New Brunswick who have to pay to travel within their own province and this decision is about fairness.

Tucker says getting rid of the tolls will help kick start the economic engine of the island, and bring new jobs and businesses to the area.

Liberals Not Too Fond of Ferry Toll Removal

(Charlotte the Isles MLA Rick Doucett)
(File Photo)

A Conservative promise to remove the toll on the Grand Manan ferry if elected to power next month has left the MLA for the area shaking his head.

Rick Doucett tells us, with no public consultation on the matter with Mayor and council or the operator of the ferry, he believes this idea was put together on the back of a napkin.

Doucett adds the Conservative proposal will cost roughly two and a half million dollars which means a ferry run would have to be lost.

Alward says it's the only ferry service of its kind in the province that charges a toll and it's unfair to island residents.

Alwards Promise To Remove Toll On Grand Manan Ferry

Progressive Conservative party leader David Alward making a promise to the residents of Grand Manan today as a part of his party's platform.

Alward tells Tide News he is promising to remove the toll on the ferry to Grand Manan Island if they are elected next month. He's also committed to retaining the current ferry operating schedule.

Over the past few decades, the population of Grand Manan has declined year after year and many island residents have been complaining for years that the cost to take the ferry has made it difficult for them financially.