The Canada-United States Ferry Service proposes to move from Portland to Bar Harbor

HALIFAX – An international ferry service linking Canada to the United States could be moved to a new Maine port, a change that could lead Nova Scotia to pay for the modernization of ferry docking facilities from an American city

Bay Ferries Ltd. has already received an annual operating grant from the province of about $ 10 million

In a proposal submitted Thursday to the town of Bar Harbor Maine, Bay Ferries offered to lease part of the ferry from the picturesque city. He confirmed that he received the proposal, which was sent to the city council ahead of next Tuesday's meeting.

Bar Harbor Town Manager Cornell Knight confirmed that he received the proposal. A month after the residents of Bar Harbor voted for the purchase of the state-owned flap terminal ferry for $ 3.5 million.

In fact, it would be Nova Scotia that would cover the addition "There will be a cost, we are pretty confident," Lloyd Hines told reporters after a cabinet meeting. "I'm open to that … but in the end, it's a decision that will be made based on the data provided by the operator."

Hines said "at first glance" Bar Harbor seems to be a good proposal. He said that there could be an "opportunity" to draw visitors to Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, which attracts about 3.5 million visitors.

Bay Ferries CEO Mark MacDonald said the ferry service could begin operations in Bar Harbor next season. But he said the proposal is still in the preliminary stages.

"What we suggest, by October 1, is that all parties do their due diligence … to do the background work and determine if this

Prior to 2009, the ferry service between Nova Scotia and Maine operated from Portland and Bar Harbor

However, a reduction in the operating subsidy for the service caused Bay Ferries to terminate service in 2009.

After province decided to reinstate the subsidy, the ferry service resumed under Nova Star Cruises in 2014, between Yarmouth and Portland before Bay Ferries hit the road in 2016.

Marla MacInnis, spokesperson for The Ministry of Transportation stated that the provincial subsidy for the 2018 navigation season would be $ 10.9 million.

"This is an increase of $ 1.5 million compared to the grant scheduled for 2017. cos These latter r account for a large portion of the $ 1.5 million grant increase as well as revised revenue forecasts reflecting steady growth. "