P.E.I. premier says 'positive news' coming soon on bridge and ferry tolls, after meeting with Carney

Gwyneth Egan · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 21, 2025 7:45 PM EDT | Last Updated: 6 minutes ago

P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz says helium has a verbal committedness from the national authorities that Prince Edward Islanders volition beryllium receiving "positive news" connected Confederation Bridge tolls and Northumberland Ferries rates "in the coming days."

Lantz's office issued a connection conscionable earlier 8:30 p.m. AT connected Friday night, after helium and Canada's different premiers met with Prime Minister Mark Carney successful Ottawa. 

The P.E.I. authorities has been arguing for immoderate clip that charging Island citizens and businesses to transverse to the mainland by span oregon car-passenger ferry is unfair, particularly since the Confederation Bridge that joins P.E.I. and New Brunswick is considered a continuation of the TransCanada Highway. 

"Thank you to the national authorities for proceeding my concerns — and the concerns of each Islanders — and committing to ending these barriers for Islanders and our economy," Lantz was quoted arsenic saying successful his quality release. 

The gathering betwixt Carney and the provincial and territorial leaders ran astir 40 minutes longer than expected — and comes 2 days earlier a national predetermination is apt to beryllium called.

Following the meeting, Carney said helium and Canada's premiers person agreed to make a nationalist commercialized strategy that would escaped up commercialized crossed provincial and territorial borders by Canada Day.

Shortly aft Lantz's bureau issued its statement, Liberal MP for Malpeque Heath MacDonald posted astir the improvement connected X, formerly Twitter. 

"Today is simply a large time for Islanders," MacDonald's station said. "After respective meetings and consultations with recently appointed Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland and Prime Minister Carney, our gov't will beryllium announcing affirmative changes to the Confederation Bridge — details to travel soon."