Prince Edward Island/CMEDIA: Following the federal government’s slashing Confederation Bridge tolls and ferry fares, costing P.E.I. potato farmers a whole lot less to ship them off the Island.
“It was quite refreshing to hear something going down, because when was the last time you heard that? Everything is going up,” said Ray Keenan, co-owner of Rollo Bay Holdings, in Souris, P.E.I.
Being one of Canada’s largest potato-producing provinces, the Island’s potato industry contributes more than $1.3 billion annually to the local economy.
With 94 percent of the Island’s potatoes leaving by bridge or ferry, according to the P.E.I. Potato Board, the new rates could save the industry $2 million in trucking bills alone.
Apart from just saving on shipments leaving P.E.I., farmers also save on equipment and supplies coming in.
Tractors, machine parts and crop production products all must cross the bridge, but now at a lower price.
Canada’s PM Mark Carney announced the changes last week during a visit to Albany, P.E.I., near the bridge itself.
“We’re doing that to bring Atlantic Canada closer together, bring Canadians closer together,” Carney said.
Being in line with campaign commitments Carney made earlier this year. the long-anticipated changes are making transportation more affordable across Atlantic Canada in the face of a trade war with the U.S.
P.E.I. Potato Board chairman Donald Stavert says the change lightens the load for growers.
“The best part about this is some of the trucking companies would avoid coming to P.E.I. because of the tolls. We’re hoping that they will be able to come this way now,” Stavert said.
Stavert added that tariffs are still a big concern, and the industry faces other challenges.
