NL Gulf Ferry Coalition - Request to Meet Minister of Transport
March 24, 2026
Honourable Steven MacKinnon
Minister of Transport
House of Commons Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
cc: Paul Connors, MP Avalon
Philip Earle, MP Labrador
Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transport
Tom Osborne, MP Cape Spear
Honourable Joanne Thompson, MP St. John's East
Honourable Tony Wakeham, Premier, Newfoundland and Labrador
Dear Minister MacKinnon,
As a group of likeminded industry leaders who champion the growth of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy, we remain seriously concerned that the capacity of Marine Atlantic, our constitutionally mandated ferry service, fails to meet the passenger demand and commercial traffic offering our province requires.
We were recently in Ottawa and engaged in positive meetings with both your staff as well as your MP colleagues. However, we feel that time remains of the essence, and the issue requires timely action and intervention. This week, our province is experiencing compounding weather events, once again delaying the transport of people, essential goods and other products to the island of Newfoundland. This delay is the latest in a series of frequent and lengthy disruptions to the ferry service, exposing the serious fragility of our supply chains, food security and freedom of movement to and from this province.
Importantly, these issues are not confined to winter conditions. During peak summer months, demand regularly exceeds available capacity, with crossings often fully booked for both passengers and commercial carriers. While the recent fare reduction was a positive and welcomed measure, it has also contributed to increased demand on an already constrained system. In light of these impacts, without increased ferry capacity, businesses are unable to invest and grow, retailers face significant challenges in meeting customer demand, the transportation industry experiences expensive delays, and ultimately, the economy suffers.
As we look ahead, it is critical that Newfoundland and Labrador not enter another season under these conditions. A clear and comprehensive path forward is needed to ensure Marine Atlantic can effectively measure, plan for, and meet both current and future demand. This must include immediate capacity relief alongside a long-term fleet renewal and capacity strategy that supports reliability and confidence in this essential service. We request to meet with you as soon as your availability allows to discuss this issue further and to share perspectives from the industries and sectors our organizations represent.
Sincerely,
Craig Foley, CEO, Hospitality NL
AnnMarie Boudreau, CEO, The Board of Trade
Rob Nolan, CEO, Municipalities NL
Chris Howlett, CEO & President, Akita Equipment and Auto Transportation
Gerry Dowden, President East Can Transport Services Limited
Jim Cormier, Atlantic Canada Director, Retail Council of Canada
Rhonda Tulk-Lane, President & CEO, Atlantic Chamber of Commerce
