Ottawa, Canada – July 28, 2025 –
In a significant move aimed at reducing living costs and boosting interprovincial connectivity, the Canadian federal government today announced substantial reductions to tolls on the Confederation Bridge and fares on federally supported ferry services across Eastern Canada, effective August 1, 2025.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, making the announcement from Prince Edward Island with the iconic Confederation Bridge in the background, confirmed that the toll for passenger vehicles crossing the 12.9-kilometre bridge, linking P.E.I. to New Brunswick, will be slashed from its current rate of over $50 to a flat rate of $20.
This dramatic reduction also applies to transport trucks, offering significant relief to commercial operators.
Beyond the bridge, the government is also implementing a 50% reduction in fares for passengers, vehicles, and commercial traffic on all federally supported Eastern Canada Ferry Services. This includes crucial routes connecting Newfoundland and Labrador to Nova Scotia via Marine Atlantic, as well as other vital links across the region. Furthermore, Marine Atlantic Inc. will receive increased federal funding to facilitate these fare reductions and will also freeze commercial freight rates on its routes.
Prime Minister Carney stated that these changes deliver on a core commitment of his government to “bring down costs and build one, strong Canadian economy.” He emphasised that “by cutting tolls on the Confederation Bridge and fares on ferries in Atlantic Canada, Canadians and businesses will save millions of dollars.” This, he added, will lead to “more travel and trade between provinces, a stronger, more united economy, and more prosperity and opportunity for Canadians.”
The Confederation Bridge, opened in 1997, is a critical transportation artery for Prince Edward Island, with over a million vehicles crossing annually. Its high toll has long been a point of contention for Islanders and businesses. Similarly, ferry services are lifelines for many coastal and island communities in Eastern Canada, facilitating both personal travel and the flow of goods.
The government estimates that these combined measures will inject approximately $100 million annually back into the pockets of Canadians, which they can then reinvest into the economy. Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, Chrystia Freeland, echoed the sentiment, highlighting how the cuts would “allow people to move around more easily, boosting interprovincial travel and tourism, supporting business growth, and strengthening cultural ties between our provinces and territories.”
While welcomed by Atlantic Canadians, the announcement did draw a sharp rebuke from British Columbia Premier David Eby, who criticised what he called a “long-standing funding imbalance” in federal support for ferry services across the country. He argued that B.C. ferry users receive significantly less federal support despite facing similar transportation challenges.
Nevertheless, for residents and businesses in Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec, the impending changes on August 1 represent a tangible step towards greater affordability and enhanced regional connectivity. The reductions are set to remain in place for several years, with the federal government covering the associated costs under the existing lease agreement for the Confederation Bridge, which extends until 2032.
