Residents of one New Brunswick island will have to worry less about trips to the United States as of Thursday.
The province announced that it was restarting the ferry to Campobello earlier than the usual June start due to the “ongoing tariff dispute between Canada and the United States.
“This is really important to make sure that New Brunswickers are connected to New Brunswick,” said Premier Susan Holt during her weekly tariff briefing.
“And so we’re really glad that that ferry is getting in the water and providing those services sooner for the people of Campobello.”
The small island with a population of just under a thousand is connected by bridge to Lubec, Maine, and residents face an hour drive through the U.S. back to mainland New Brunswick when the summer ferry isn’t running.
That’s four border crossings just for one trip to St. Stephen or Saint John for shopping or medical appointments.
Normally the trek through Maine isn’t much of a problem, but with increased tensions over the trade war, residents have been calling for better access to the rest of Canada.
While U.S. border officers have been lenient to some Campobello residents crossing without a passport, which has been formally required since 2009, that ended with Trump’s return. In March, the village hosted a session for residents to get passport photos and complete documentation if theirs was expired.
Trade battle on their doorstop
Residents were also financially caught in the tariff trade war, having to pay 25 per cent on items they brought back from Maine for a month before the federal government granted island residents an exemption in early April.
That was especially helpful because the island only had one grocery store with limited supplies and no gas station, so many residents do much of their shopping in Maine.
Residents of Campobello Island will have easier access to the New Brunswick mainland after the province green-lit an early start for its ferry service.
“Our government understands the need to have a reliable transportation link to the mainland during these uncertain times,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Chuck Chiasson in a press release.
“This is an early start and it is appreciated,” said Ron Beckwith, a Campobello resident in an interview with CBC Radio’s Shift.
“A lot of folks are trying hard to shop Canadian, trying to support Canada.”
Beckwith noted that the ferry isn’t free and costs more for larger vehicles, which adds up for people who cross more frequently.
The newly reopened ferry connects to Deer Island, and is operated by East Coast Ferries Ltd. It costs $25 for a car and one passenger each way.
From Deer Island, drivers then take a shorter, free ferry to L’Etete, which is near St. George.
“It’s not the best long-range solution, but it certainly is appreciated,” Beckwith said.
With the announcement, Holt also encouraged people to use the ferry to visit Campobello this summer.
“With the sun shining and the weather turning, it’s a great time to go and visit that island.”
With many Canadians boycotting U.S. travel, Beckwith said the ferry will also help tourism.
“I expect this summer to be remarkably different because Canadians are trying to stay home. So it’s going to be very busy.”
Beckwith said he lives across from the ferry landing and is used to seeing long lines in the summer.
“I should get a hot dog cart, it would do alright,” he said with a laugh.
But on a more serious note, Beckwith said Canadians shouldn’t need to get permission from the U.S. to travel within their own country, referencing the trip from Campobello through Maine to St. Stephen.
“To me, it’s a Charter rights issue.”
