St. John’s, N.L. (March 5, 2025)– Tony Wakeham, Leader of the Progressive Conservative Party and MHA for Stephenville – Port au Port, has written to The Honourable Anita Anand, Federal Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, demanding immediate action to lower the cost of travel to Newfoundland and Labrador via Marine Atlantic.

“A great many of the goods we import and export move on these ferries, along with passengers and their vehicles,” said Wakeham.

“When ferry user fees rise, those increases get passed on— driving up costs for businesses and taking more money from consumers who are already burdened by higher fuel prices. It is hurting us, and it must change.”

Wakeham stressed that the urgency of this issue is even greater as Canada prepares to navigate potential trade challenges with the United States.

“Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are appalled that the cost of doing business and buying goods in this province continues to rise under federally imposed ferry fees that hurt us as badly as tariffs,” added Wakeham. “This is not how a Confederation of equals should function. The ocean between our province and Nova Scotia must not be a barrier to free and fair trade within our own country.”

A Wakeham PC government would take real action to lower the cost of living, including putting more money in people’s pockets and reducing taxes.