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e-2652 (Transportation)

E-petition
Initiated by Justin Tinker from Saint John, New Brunswick

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the Government of Canada

Whereas:
  • The residents of Campobello do not have year-round access to their own country and this is a cause of great hardship for residents and great deterrent on those seeking to move there;
  • An anomaly to the area and province, Campobello’s population has dropped 34% and market income per capita has shrunk more than $6,000 per person in the 20 years since enhanced border restrictions were implemented;
  • Since September 2017, the private, for-profit ferry has provided three months of service;
  • Our ¨domestic¨ mail is passing through the United States of America and is being opened, searched and seized at the discretion of US Customs;
  • Personal correspondence is also being opened which raises privacy concerns;
  • We believe that it is our Charter right to have unfettered access to our own country, instead of being forced to abide by the policies, procedures, and jurisdiction of the United States of America, especially in a COVID-19 world.
We, the undersigned, Canadian citizens in support of an accessible Campobello Island, call upon the Government of Canada to:
1. Understand that the existing road network would not be an issue were it not for the international border;
2. Immediately commit to meeting with New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs to discuss the federal role in funding and financing;
3. Fully fund an adequate new or used car ferry vessel;
4. Fully fund an adequate landing on Campobello Island to accommodate the vessel; and
5. Enter into partnership discussions with the provincial government to enact a five-year subsidized operations plan for the benefit of Islanders.

Response by the Minister of Transport

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marc Garneau

The seasonal ferry service between Deer Island, New Brunswick, and Campobello Island, New Brunswick, is provided by a private operator, East Coast Ferries Ltd. This ferry service generally operates from late-June to September, though the 2020 service has been extended to December 1.

The Government of Canada removed itself from the direct operation of ferry services since the 1995 National Marine Policy (the Policy) was introduced. As a result, the federal government placed the management of marine infrastructure and services on a commercial footing. With respect to ferry services, the Policy indicates that the Government of Canada would continue to support Constitutionally-mandated ferry services and services required by remote communities. In light of this, Transport Canada’s role is limited to its regulatory one, to ensure the safety and security of the seasonal ferry operation between the mainland of New Brunswick and Campobello Island.

Under the National Marine Policy, Campobello Island is not classified as a remote community or a constitutional obligation, as access to the island is available year round by land through the state of Maine using the bridge crossing in Lubec, Maine, USA. 

Recognizing the provincial nature of this issue, the Government of Canada understands that local organizations such as the Campobello Island Ferry Committee and Accessible Campobello are working with the Government of New Brunswick to examine long-term solutions.

Open for signature
June 17, 2020, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
July 17, 2020, at 2:13 p.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
John Williamson (New Brunswick Southwest)
October 6, 2020 (Petition No. 432-00081)
Government response tabled
November 19, 2020
Photo - John Williamson
New Brunswick Southwest
Conservative Caucus
New Brunswick