From visiting friends and family, to getting goods to market, Canadians in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, and businesses rely on safe and efficient ferry services to keep communities connected and build an economy that works for everyone.
Last summer, the MV Holiday Island, one of two ferries that ensured service between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia, was removed from service. Today, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, joined by the Right Honourable Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, the Honourable Sean Fraser, and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, announced the Government of Canada's intention to purchase the MV Fanafjord to replace the MV Holiday Island in the short-term until its successor is built and ready to enter service.
Longer-term, the Government of Canada will build two new ferries, including the permanent replacement of the MV Holiday Island, at Chantier Davie Canada Inc. Design work for the new vessel is already underway, with delivery expected as early as 2028.
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), on behalf of Transport Canada, has published an Advance Contract Award Notice (ACAN) to signal the government's intention to purchase the MV Fanafjord. The ACAN allows other interested suppliers that meet the minimum operational requirements of Transport Canada 15 calendar days to submit a statement of capabilities before a contract is awarded. If no other supplier submits a statement of capabilities that meets the requirements highlighted in the ACAN, PSPC may proceed with awarding a contract to the owner of the MV Fanafjord, which would be expected to enter service in early May 2024. The MV Fanafjord would serve as an interim replacement solution to maintain two vessel ferry service on this route for the communities until the new ferry by Chantier Davie is completed.
Reliable two-way ferry service is critical for Canadians in this region that depend on this mode of transportation in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, as well as for the local economy. This short-term replacement of the MV Holiday Island is a crucial step the Government of Canada is taking to help ensure continued ferry services for the communities and for local businesses.
