Yarmouth Industrial Commission Acquires Ferry Terminal

NS: Control of Yarmouth ferry terminal comes home
By Michael Gorman, Transcontinental Media

Source: The Yarmouth County Vanguard, August 27, 2010

[YARMOUTH, NS] — Control of the Yarmouth ferry terminal is going to the community.

West Nova MP Greg Kerr delivered the news to area municipal leaders on Thursday, saying this clears the path for pursuing an operator for 2011.

“The months of patience have paid off,” he said.

Although the process required much effort, Kerr said the ability of area municipal units to act with one voice — not to mention take the lead on the effort — last December when it was announced that The CAT ferry service would not continue, played a major role in the final outcome.

“When the municipalities agreed to formalize one voice in the area, that’s really what made the difference.”


West Nova MP Greg Kerr addresses municipal leaders Thursday with news that control of the Yarmouth ferry terminal would be going to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission. — Michael Gorman photo

Kerr said he expects the terminal lease to be formally signed over to the Yarmouth Area Industrial Commission (YAIC), the group leading the effort to restore ferry service, some time in September.

Dave Whiting, acting CEO of the YAIC, said they can now go ahead with formally pursuing an operator. Whiting said the timeline remains good to have ferry service restored in time for the 2011 season and he expects to have more news in October.

The next step, said Whiting, is to put out a formal request for proposals to determine what operators are interested and determine what ports in Maine are in play.

Both Kerr and Whiting said potential opportunities for greater partnerships with the U.S. need to be pursued but Whiting said that is something that will come once they determine what ports are legitimately interested. That also applies to what kind of involvement should be expected from the other side in terms of support for the service.

The community controlling the terminal opens the door for other opportunities in the area, although Whiting would not elaborate on those at this time. It also puts to rest, said Kerr, any concerns about the loss of customs services in the area.

Kerr stressed the need to document the impacts of no ferry service on the community this season to make the case for why it is so important, as well as stressing the importance of the link between the province and the United States in general.