Loss of the CAT

From Nova news now

Yarmouth and its neighbouring communities in Southwestern Nova Scotia are still reeling over last Friday’s sudden, and unanticipated, announcement that the Nova Scotia government will no longer subsidize the century-old ferry link between Yarmouth and New England.

“On one hand, we welcome the Premier’s announcement that he is still supporting the maintenance of the ferry link between Yarmouth and New England.” Mayor Mooney said. “But on the other hand, we worry that without some form of ferry service during the 2010 season, and until such time that the new service is ready, that infrastructure such as Canada Customs, hotels, restaurants and trained employees will no longer exist.”

Southwestern Nova Scotia has always had a subsidized ferry link to New England. “Our statistics show that over the past five years, Bay Ferries through The Cat, has brought more than $170 million dollars worth of tourism revenue to this province.” Yarmouth Mayor Phil Mooney said today. “Further, Nova Scotia as a destination is marketed solely through Bay Ferries in an agreement with the Nova Scotia government. This agreement, and this service is no more, at least for now.”

Since 2005, the Government of Nova Scotia has invested $20.2 million dollars into this service. “…that amounts an investment of $1.00 for a return of $8.00 spent across this province.” Mayor Mooney added.

In 2009, tourists using the Yarmouth – New England crossing, fell to 75,644, down from 84,147 the year before. In spite of this drop, and using the calculation instruments provided by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, this number has injected more than $33,705,500.00 into Nova Scotia’s economy. This amount represented more than 50% of all visitors to Nova Scotia from New England and the mid-Atlantic states.

The elimination of this link will cause incredible hardship on all of Nova Scotia, not just Yarmouth and the surrounding areas. “I have been contacted by elected officials, business leaders, unions and employees from all across Nova Scotia who are supporting Yarmouth in these very difficult times.” Mayor Mooney said.

Besides the loss of 120 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs in Halifax and Yarmouth directly and indirectly affiliated with The CAT, there will be the loss of 189 jobs in the accommodations and restaurant sector in Yarmouth County alone. As well, there will be reductions in many tourism operations across Nova Scotia that rely on The Cat for package tours. For instance, this blow will mean that Rodd’s Grand Hotel and Colony Harbour Inn will be forced to eliminate 85 positions, Best Western Mermaid has announced that it will reduce 18 positions. But, this loss goes beyond Yarmouth County. For example, White Point Lodge, in Queens County expects that the loss of the Yarmouth – New England service will result in cuts of 8 full time and 12 seasonal positions. Similar cuts, are echoed in other accommodations, and resorts across the province.

But, this is not restricted to just the accommodation and restaurant sectors. Many museums in this region rely on tourists to secure visitor numbers for funding. For example, 70% of the visitors to the Firefighters Museum of Nova Scotia are from the United States. Many of these travel The Cat.

“The people bearing the brunt of these cuts are the from low income families,” Mayor Mooney added. “The job losses are waiters, housekeepers, front desk staff, call centre operators, crewman, maintenance workers. These are not high paying jobs and they are jobs these people have worked in for decades. What does government expect a 60-year old worker on a low income to do?

The Town of Yarmouth, with the support of its neighbouring municipal units and hopefully all municipal units across Nova Scotia, will work to keep this vital service running.

“First of all, just after this session, I will be meeting with Yarmouth Town Council and we will fast track the hiring of a new Events Coordinator for the Town of Yarmouth,” Mayor Mooney said. “This new position will be a critical link between our struggling tourism industry and many conferences and events that we hope to attract to Yarmouth.”

Tomorrow, Mayor Mooney, along with Leland Anthony – Warden of the Municipality of the District of Yarmouth; Aldric d’Entremont – Warden of the Municipality of Argyle; Jean Melanson – Warden of the Municipality of Clare as well as other local representatives will meet with Premier Darrell Dexter and some of his colleagues.

“It is our hope that the Premier will recognize the crisis facing our communities and that he, and his government, will work quickly with us to guarantee the 2010 tourism season. Hundreds of jobs are at stake,” Mayor Mooney said.