July 28,2025
RED FM News Desk
British Columbia Premier David Eby is calling out what he describes as “structural unfairness” in federal transportation funding, as Ottawa moves to significantly reduce ferry fares in Atlantic Canada.
On Monday, during a visit to Prince Edward Island, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Marine Atlantic ferry fares will be cut by 50% starting August 1. Tolls on the Confederation Bridge will also be reduced. The move fulfills a campaign promise made ahead of this year’s federal election.
In response, Premier Eby demanded “fair treatment” for ferry users in B.C., stating at an unrelated press conference:
“I understand the federal government is following through on an election commitment—but they also need to seriously revisit their policy on ferry funding for British Columbia.”
According to the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union, Marine Atlantic received $192 million in federal grants last fiscal year. In contrast, B.C. Ferries got $35.6 million in grants, plus a $75 million repayable loan—despite B.C.’s population being more than double that of all Maritime provinces combined.
In a July 5 open letter to Carney, the union described B.C.’s ferry system as “critical infrastructure” and said it has been underfunded for years. The union urged the federal government to create permanent, inflation- and ridership-adjusted funding for ferries, and to support Canadian shipbuilding and union jobs.
Eby pointed out that federal funding for B.C. ferry services has remained largely unchanged for nearly two decades. He highlighted that Atlantic ferry users receive around $300 per capita in subsidies, while B.C. residents receive only about $1 per person.
“I’ve raised this directly with the federal government,” Eby said. “It’s time to increase the federal subsidy.”
Carney, meanwhile, said the new funding for Atlantic ferries will benefit both individuals and businesses, encouraging more interprovincial travel and trade while strengthening the economy.
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