Justice and Public Safety
May 5, 2016
Province to Seek to Intervene in Oceanex v. Canada and Marine Atlantic
The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, today announced that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador will apply to intervene in the case of Oceanex v. Canada and Marine Atlantic to oppose Oceanex’s application to compel the federal Minister of Transport to increase Marine Atlantic’s commercial ferry rates.
“On a daily basis, Marine Atlantic’s commercial freight service brings groceries, medical supplies and other important items that residents rely on to the province. If successful, this application by Oceanex seeking an increase to the commercial ferry rates for Marine Atlantic will have a direct and negative impact on the cost of goods in Newfoundland and Labrador. We will take whatever legal steps that are necessary to protect the constitutional right of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to a modern and affordable ferry service.”
- The Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General
The Terms of Union are part of the Constitution of Canada and under Term 32(1), Canada is constitutionally obligated to provide ferry service between Port aux Basques and North Sydney. Commercial ferry rates at Marine Atlantic already increased by 2.6 per cent on April 1, 2016 and if Oceanex is successful, rates would increase further.
QUICK FACTS:
- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador will apply to intervene in the case of Oceanex v. Canada and Marine Atlantic.
- Oceanex has made an application to compel the federal Minister of Transport to increase Marine Atlantic’s commercial ferry rates.
- Commercial ferry rates at Marine Atlantic increased by 2.6 per cent on April 1, 2016.
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Media contact:
Luke Joyce
Director of Communications
Department of Justice and Public Safety
709-729-6985, 725-4165
lukejoyce@gov.nl.ca
2016 05 05 9:10 a.m.