Newfoundland and Labrador appeals to Ottawa as strike threatens ferry to Nova Scotia

The Marine Atlantic ferry, Blue Puttees, at dock in St. John's on Friday, Feb. 11, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Daly

ST. JOHN’S — Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Tony Wakeham is appealing for help from the federal government as a strike looms for workers on Marine Atlantic ferries.

The premier wrote to Federal Transport Minister Steven MacKinnon on Wednesday, asking him to maintain the essential service designation of the ferry between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

Wakeham’s letter says he recognizes workers’ rights, but he sees the ferry service as a “lifeline,” since much of Newfoundland and Labrador’s food and essential goods arrive by ferry.

Marine Atlantic is a federal Crown corporation which operates year-round and seasonal routes between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

In a statement, spokesperson Darrell Mercer said Unifor has asked the Canadian Industrial Relations Board to allow reduced operations if its members go on strike.

Unifor represents about 700 Marine Atlantic workers and it said last week that negotiations broke down because the employer would not engage with the union’s proposals.

The union says conciliation expires on June 8, after which workers have a 21-day “cooling off period” before they can strike, or before the company locks them out.

A Unifor news release says before any strike or lockout can happen, the parties must either have a decision from the Canadian Industrial Relations Board, or a mutual agreement on what services will continue.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 3, 2026.