P.E.I. premier to speak with prime minister on promise to lower Confederation Bridge toll

Prince Edward Island's Confederation Bridge is seen on May 31, 2022. (CTV Atlantic)

Lowering the Confederation Bridge toll is at the top of Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz’s list when he meets with Prime Minister Mark Carney next week.

Lantz will travel to Ontario for the First Ministers’ Meeting and Council of the Federation from July 21 to 23.

“First and foremost, I will be speaking directly with Prime Minister Carney and his team about the immediate need to follow through on their promise to lower the tolls on the Confederation Bridge to $20 and reduce the Wood Islands Ferry tolls by half,” he said in a news release Friday.

Carney said he would lower the tolls during his election campaign in April. Currently, the Confederation Bridge toll is $50.25.

Lantz said he also intends to bring up recent issues with the new MV Northumberland and will ask that Transport Canada officials “monitor the situation closely.”

“It is imperative that we have a consistent, two-vessel ferry service throughout the season to support our economy and maintain confidence in our transportation infrastructure,” said Lantz.

The meetings bring together all of Canada’s premiers from each of the 13 provinces and territories.

“It enables Premiers to work collaboratively, form closer ties, foster constructive relationships among governments, and show leadership on important issues that matter to Canadians,” reads a news release from the Council of the Federation.

Lantz said he also hopes to work with his colleagues to continue to break down internal trade barriers, explore new trading partnerships and increase labour mobility throughout the country.

“With ongoing uncertainty in our trade relationship with the United States, it is more important than ever that we strengthen our domestic economic ties and work together to explore new markets for our products and services around the world,” said Lantz.

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