The Department of Transportation and Infrastructure is conducting a marine market sounding with communities, businesses, the unions representing ferry workers, and social enterprises to explore joint solutions to make the province’s ferry services more efficient.
The Honourable Elvis Loveless, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure will be available to media today (Tuesday, February 1) at 1:00 p.m.to discuss the market sounding via Zoom. To confirm your attendance and request the link, please email Kathryn Summers (kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca) for the required information.
Participants of the market sounding process will have an opportunity to provide suggestions on the future of the service and respond to a series of questions including the suitability of vessels in the department’s fleet, ideal lengths of possible contracts, cost reduction measures, and how to reduce the number of trips with lower passenger counts.
Information supplied to the department will be considered for planning future procurement and the delivery of marine services.
The department is seeking input only on routes that service the island portion of the province as long-term contracts for marine services on the Strait of Belle Isle and Northern Labrador are currently in place.
The department will host a virtual information session on Tuesday, February 8 to provide those interested in responding with an overview of the market sounding process and answer any questions. Entities wishing to participate are encouraged to contact the department at ferryms@gov.nl.ca by February 7.
The market sounding document and an overview of marine services are available in the Learn More section below.
In 2020-21, the province’s marine services cost approximately $79 million. Seven of the province’s 12 ferry routes are provided by a contracted service.
Market sounding for joint solutions for ferry services is one of several transformational activities underway to modernize government programs and services. Through this collaborative approach, meaningful change can be taken towards a stronger, more viable future for Newfoundland and Labrador.
Quotes
“This market sounding is an important process to explore a more efficient way to provide ferry services for the people who use them and to consider change in a way that is responsible to all taxpayers. We look forward to the input from participants.”
Honourable Elvis Loveless
Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
“As introduced in Budget 2021, we are working to transform and modernize government. These are bold, decisive actions that will result in better service delivery and improved financial outcomes. Through our outreach and collaboration with communities, businesses, and social enterprises, we are exploring ideas and opportunities to make the province’s ferry services more efficient.”
Honourable Siobhan Coady
Deputy Premier, Minister of Finance
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Learn more
Market Sounding Document
Marine Services Data for 2020-21
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Media contacts
Kathryn Summers
Transportation and Infrastructure
709-729-1758, 699-6147
kathrynsummers@gov.nl.ca
Victoria Barbour
Finance
709-729-4087, 327-6152
victoriabarbour@gov.nl.ca