Ferry Services Contribution Program

Name of transfer payment program

Ferry Services Contribution Program

Start date

1941

End date

March 31, 2016 Footnote 1

Fiscal year for terms and conditions

2010–11

Strategic Outcome

An efficient transportation system

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

Program 1.3: Transportation Infrastructure

Sub-program 1.3.2: Marine Infrastructure

Sub-sub-program 1.3.2.3: Ferry Services Stewardship and Support

Description

The Ferry Services Contribution Program provides financial assistance to maintain three interprovincial ferry services in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec. More specifically, the contributions are for the service across the Northumberland Strait between Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia, operated by Northumberland Ferries Ltd.; the service between Cap-aux-Meules, Îles de la Madeleine, Quebec and Souris, Prince Edward Island, operated by CTMA Traversier Ltée; and the service between Saint John, New Brunswick and Digby, Nova Scotia, operated by Bay Ferries Ltd.

Expected results

The contribution is expected to have the following results:

  • ferry services in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec will continue to be operational;
  • certain remote communities will have access to regional transportation options; and
  • safe, efficient and reliable ferry services between Cap-aux-Meules, Îles de la Madeleine and Souris, Prince Edward Island; Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island, and Caribou, Nova Scotia; and Saint John, New Brunswick, and Digby, Nova Scotia.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation

2009–10

Decision following the results of last evaluation

Continuation

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

2014–15

General targeted recipient groups

Industry-related entities (This program is developed for three ferry services operated by CTMA Traversier Ltée, Northumberland Ferries Ltd. and Bay Ferries Ltd. All three recipients are private companies.)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

Engagement initiatives include: discuss and provide clear template-based contribution agreements, leases and charter party agreements; annually review and negotiate the performance objectives and budget required to deliver the ferry services as per the terms of the agreements; communicate service standards and reporting requirements based on the risk profile of each recipient; ongoing dialogue to assess change and progress through monthly conference calls with each recipient; follow-up as required on project activities, funding requirements and reporting requirements; and communicate the requirement to audit, as well as the audit findings.

  Forecast Spending
2014–15 ($)
Planned Spending ($)
2015–16
Planned Spending ($)
2016–17
Planned Spending ($)
2017–18
Total grants 0 0 0 0
Total contributions 16,720,000 34,569,754 16,720,000 16,720,000
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0
Total transfer payments 16,720,000 34,569,754 16,720,000 16,720,000

Footnotes

Footnote 1

Program is under review

Return to footnote 1 referrer