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    1. Alt. Mobility
    2. Water Transportation

    Infrastructure Canada announces funding for new ferry routes planning to improve active transportation options in Halifax

    June 18, 2021
    The planning phase will include a study of the different technology options for the new electrical ferry as well as the design of the Halifax and Bedford Ferry Terminals to welcome the new route. 
    Related To: Infrastructure Canada

    Funding to support planning for the Bedford Ferry Route was announced by Canadian officials June 17. 

    Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, the Honorable Kelly Regan, Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia, on behalf of Energy and Mines Minister Chuck Porter, his Worship Mike Savage, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality, the Honorable Geoff Regan, Member of Parliament for Halifax West, and Rafah DiCostanzo, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Clayton Park West, were all in attendance. 

     "The Bedford Ferry Route will connect communities across Halifax in ways we've been dreaming about for years. This planning project will set the foundation that will provide residents with a quick, safe, and affordable transit option across the Bedford Basin straight into the Halifax core,” said Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honorable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “It will transform the daily commute of thousands of Haligonians on their way to work, school, our local shops, and back home – all while reducing congestion on our streets, and lowering emissions. As we look toward recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, this project is an excellent example of leveraging infrastructure to build back better." 

    The Bedford Ferry route is a key component of the Transforming Transit strategy put forward by the city to transform the way residents from rapidly growing communities travel to and from downtown Halifax. The planning phase will include a study of the different technology options for the new electrical ferry as well as the design of the Halifax and Bedford Ferry Terminals to welcome the new route. 

    This investment will support the city's efforts to reduce pressure on congested highways and provide thousands of residents with a fast, comfortable and sustainable transit link. It will also help the city reach its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. 

    "This is an exciting project that will deliver a more convenient transit link for commuters as it also helps Nova Scotia address climate change,” said the Honorable Kelly Regan, Deputy Premier of Nova Scotia, on behalf of Energy and Mines Minister Chuck Porter. “The electrification of public transit systems, transitioning away from diesel ferries, will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and push us toward our target of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to 53 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030." 

    The government of Canada is investing more than C$1.3 million (US$1.04 million) through the Public Transit Infrastructure stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure program. The government of Nova Scotia is providing more than C$1.1 million (US$887,276) for this project, while the Halifax Regional Municipality is contributing more than C$917,000 (US$739,501).