Ottawa cuts Confederation Bridge tolls, ferry fares in Atlantic Canada
ALBANY, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND — Starting August 1, tolls on the Confederation Bridge — the only fixed transportation link between Prince Edward Island and mainland Canada — will be significantly reduced, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday.
The toll for an average vehicle crossing the 12.9-kilometre bridge will drop from $50.25 to $20, part of a broader set of Atlantic travel fee reductions. The move fulfills a key Liberal election promise and is aimed at boosting interprovincial mobility and lowering travel costs for residents and businesses across Eastern Canada.
Carney made the announcement with the bridge in view behind him in Albany, P.E.I., emphasizing that the toll cut is intended to “bring Canadians closer together.”
ALBANY, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND — Starting August 1, the toll to cross the Confederation Bridge — the only fixed link between Prince Edward Island and mainland Canada — will drop significantly, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Monday.
🚗 Major Toll Reduction
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Current toll: $50.25
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New toll (Aug. 1): $20 per average vehicle
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The move fulfills a Liberal campaign promise made during the April election.
“We’re doing this to bring … Canadians closer together,” said Carney, speaking with the 12.9-kilometre Confederation Bridge in the background.
The bridge, opened in 1997, connects P.E.I. to New Brunswick, and sees roughly one million vehicles cross each year. A lease agreement with the private bridge operator remains in effect until 2032.
⛴️ Ferry Fare Cuts Across Eastern Canada
In addition to the bridge toll reduction, the federal government will:
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Cut fares in half for passengers, vehicles, and commercial traffic on federally supported ferry routes in Eastern Canada.
This broader move to reduce travel costs aims to improve regional connectivity, boost tourism, and strengthen economic ties across Atlantic Canada.
🧭 Why It Matters
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These changes mark a historic shift in transportation costs in Atlantic Canada.
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The toll cut is expected to make interprovincial travel more affordable, benefiting both residents and visitors.
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The announcement signals a commitment to regional equity and infrastructure accessibility under the Carney-led Liberal government.
ALBANY, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND — Prime Minister Mark Carney says the newly announced toll and fare reductions in Eastern Canada are aimed at boosting interprovincial mobility and easing internal trade barriers, particularly in light of ongoing economic tensions with the United States.
🇨🇦 A Move Toward Economic Unity
Carney positioned the fee cuts as part of a broader strategy to strengthen Canada's domestic economy:
“If we're going to build a stronger, more united economy … we're going to need to make it more affordable to travel around this country, for people and for businesses — and that’s what we’re doing today.”
The Confederation Bridge toll will drop from $50.25 to $20 per vehicle starting August 1, while several federal ferry services across Eastern Canada — including Marine Atlantic — will see fares cut by 50%.
💰 Fiscal Impact and Economic Rationale
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The cumulative cost of the reductions to the federal treasury: approximately $100 million annually
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Carney said the move is expected to:
⛴️ Marine Atlantic and Ferry Services
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Marine Atlantic, the constitutionally mandated ferry link between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, will:
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Reduce traveller fares by 50%
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This service handles 65% of all goods traveling to and from Newfoundland, making it a critical economic lifeline.
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On average, Eastern ferry services and Marine Atlantic carry:
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2,500 passengers daily
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1,200 vehicles per day
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🗣️ Regional Reaction
P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz, present at the announcement, welcomed the toll reduction:
“It’s been 28 years that we’ve paid outrageous tolls … and this is going to save Islanders tens of millions of dollars.”
While Lantz had previously advocated for eliminating the toll entirely, he acknowledged the current cut as a major win:
“What’s not to like? We’ve been pushing for this forever… I’ll take what we got.”
📌 Bottom Line
This sweeping travel cost reduction across Atlantic Canada reflects a federal push to stimulate internal trade, support regional economies, and enhance affordability. While it comes with a significant fiscal cost, Ottawa is betting on the long-term benefits of greater national mobility and economic cohesion.
ALBANY, P.E.I. — July 28, 2025
By Keith Doucette, The Canadian Press
(With files from Michael Tutton, Wolfgang Depner, and Hina Alam)
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s announcement of major toll and fare reductions for Eastern Canadian transportation links has been met with praise in the Maritimes and frustration on the West Coast.
✅ “A Win” for P.E.I.
P.E.I. Premier Rob Lantz lauded the decision to slash Confederation Bridge tolls from $50.25 to $20, calling it a long-overdue step that will save Islanders tens of millions of dollars and boost affordability:
“It’s a win, a big savings,” Lantz said. “It makes life more affordable and it makes it easier for us to get goods off Prince Edward Island. That bridge acted effectively as a tariff on everything we exported — and that is greatly reduced today.”
🌊 B.C. Demands Equal Support
But in British Columbia, Premier David Eby voiced concern that West Coast ferry users are being left behind:
“We are going to need the federal government to have a serious look at their policy in relation to ferry users in British Columbia and ensure fair treatment for ferry users here.”
Eby noted the federal ferry subsidy for B.C. hasn’t changed in nearly 20 years, despite rising costs and growing demand:
“We need the same per capita funding … that any other province gets through any other announcements that are made across the country.”
⛴️ Marine Atlantic Cuts & Economic Impact
Carney confirmed that Marine Atlantic fares connecting Nova Scotia and Newfoundland will be cut by 50% for travellers, while commercial freight rates will be frozen. He estimated the changes would inject $28 million into Newfoundland and Labrador’s economy and spur tourism:
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The ferry service is vital for transporting medical supplies, fresh produce, and home heating fuel, and the lower costs are expected to ease living expenses across the province.
🇨🇦 Reducing Internal Trade Barriers Amid U.S. Tensions
Carney tied the announcement to a broader strategy to reduce internal trade barriers and increase economic resilience, especially in light of tense trade negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration:
“Canadians … don’t deserve the uncertainty thrust among them,” Carney said.
He acknowledged ongoing trade talks are in an “intense phase,” but emphasized his government’s focus remains on building national unity and infrastructure:
“What we’re doing is building our country, bringing it closer together. This is one tangible example.”
🏡 Cultural Diplomacy in the Maritimes
The P.E.I. announcement followed Carney’s visit to New Brunswick on Sunday, where he toured historic Acadian homes in Bertrand, N.B., ahead of Fête nationale de l’Acadie on August 15 — part of his effort to highlight and preserve Acadian culture.
Bottom Line:
The federal government’s move to cut travel costs across Atlantic Canada has been hailed as a milestone for regional equity and affordability, but also sparked calls for greater fairness and parity from other provinces — especially British Columbia. As Carney tries to ease the pressure of international trade tensions, he’s also facing a growing push to ensure domestic economic support is evenly distributed coast to coast.
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