McNeil made a bad deal that will cost taxpayers up to $100 million
March 29, 2016
HALIFAX, NS – Progressive Conservative leader Jamie Baillie says the $100 million ferry deal could be a defining and costly moment for Stephen McNeil’s Liberal government. The Progressive Conservative leader wants the deal to come before the House of Assembly for review.
“The McNeil government got hosed,” says Baillie. “I do not accept that this was the best deal that could be made. It is a bad deal for taxpayers. It will cost too much money. It should have come to the Legislature.”
Baillie says the problems with Stephen McNeil’s bad deal include, but are not limited to:
- Nova Scotian taxpayers must make up any cash deficiencies experienced by Bay Ferries Ltd. rather than the company.
- Nova Scotians will get no work on the vessel. It will be maintained and serviced by and all-American crew.
- Nova Scotian industry, such as our lobsters, will have a new obstacle to getting to market. Due to objections from the City of Portland, truck traffic will not be allowed on the new vessel – even though Maine has not contributed a cent to the deal.
Baillie, a former CEO of Credit Union Atlantic, says any private sector negotiator would be fired over such a bad deal.
“The Progressive Conservatives support a sustainable ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine,” says Baillie. “But Nova Scotians need to know they can trust their government leaders to be good negotiators on their behalf. That trust has been broken with this bad deal.”