Introduction

During the second day of the federal election campaign, the federal Conservative Party made a bold pledge to eliminate tolls on the Confederation Bridge, a vital link for residents and businesses of Prince Edward Island.

The Announcement

Melissa Lantsman, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party, unveiled the promise on March 24 in Borden-Carleton, flanked by the party's four candidates for P.E.I.: Natalie Jameson, Jamie Fox, Logan McLellan, and James Aylward. Lantsman emphasized that this move would save Islanders approximately $50 every time they traveled to the mainland.

“The Conservatives will scrap the tolls on the Confederation Bridge,” Lantsman stated confidently. “This initiative aims to enhance the economic connectivity between the island and the mainland, ensuring that Islanders have more money in their pockets.”

Funding the Initiative

The party plans to fund this initiative by increasing the federal subsidy to Strait Crossing Bridge Ltd., the operator of the bridge, which they estimate will cost taxpayers about $50 million annually. According to Lantsman, the tolls would remain eliminated until the bridge is officially transferred to federal ownership in 2032.

Responses from the Opposition

This announcement follows a similar vow made by several P.E.I. Liberal candidates. Recently, Rob Lantz, P.E.I.’s Progressive Conservative Premier, announced that he secured a commitment from former Prime Minister Mark Carney regarding reducing tolls for both the Confederation Bridge and the Wood Islands ferry. Liberal candidates Sean Casey and Bobby Morrissey also tweeted their support, mentioning that Carney had promised to 'reduce' the tolls.

The Liberal Party’s specific plans for the tolls—whether they will merely reduce them or completely eliminate them—are yet to be clarified. Malpeque Liberal candidate Heath MacDonald mentioned that a formal announcement would be made soon, and he confirmed that Liberal representatives had been lobbying multiple Ministers of Transportation on this issue for several years.

Conservative Plan Limitations

Interestingly, the Conservative plan does not extend to scrapping tolls for the Wood Islands-Caribou ferry. When asked if their proposal was a reaction to the Liberal announcements, Lantsman confirmed that Poilievre had previously committed to this pledge in a letter to Premier Lantz earlier on the same day.

Conclusion

“This is about creating a better future for Islanders,” Lantsman conveyed, promising that the tolls would be removed as soon as Pierre Poilievre is elected as Prime Minister.

As the election approaches, this clash over bridge tolls represents a significant topic that could sway voters’ opinions in a region where access to the mainland is a key concern. Will the Conservatives' bold pledge resonate with Islanders? Only time will tell as the election draws nearer!