Prime Minister Justin Trudeau plans to take the issue of tolls on the Confederation Bridge up with P.E.I.’s MPs.
Trudeau responded to a question from a P.E.I. woman on Friday at a town hall forum in Peterborough, Ont.
The woman, who did not give her name, talked about her grandfather who lives in New Brunswick. When he fell ill, her father was forced to make two to three trips across the bridge per week to take care of him, creating a substantial financial burden for her family.
The woman referred to the fact the cost to take the ferry to Nova Scotia runs about $72 while the bridge toll is almost $50 every time a person leaves P.E.I.
“It puts an extra burden on my family,’’ the woman told the prime minister. “Most people on Prince Edward Island are working class, working in the farming industries.
“Is there anything that the federal government can do . . . to help alleviate the cost for Islanders?’’
The woman also made reference to the new Champlain Bridge in Montreal which will be free to cross thanks to a campaign promise by Trudeau.
The prime minister explained that the Montreal bridge is a replacement bridge and that the federal government has a responsibility to ensure it’s built high enough to ensure ship access along the St. Lawrence Seaway.
“The comparison (between Champlain Bridge and Confederation Bridge) doesn’t quite work on this (but) I absolutely understand your preoccupation with being able to be there for sick family members and being able to support your family and I appreciate the challenges you are facing.’’
The prime minister didn’t commit to making any changes in regards to the Confederation Bridge toll, he did promise the Island woman he would pass along her concerns.
“I will make sure I pass along your concerns to our Island MPs and we will look at what can be done to make sure people are able to travel freely, travel efficiently and openly across the country at modest costs,’’ Trudeau told the woman.
P.E.I. Senator Percy Downe has spoken out against tolls on Confederation Bridge for the past year or so, using the Montreal bridge as an example of why it’s unfair to charge so much to leave P.E.I.
In September, Downe said a new tax credit for Island residents could reduce the bridge toll by 46 per cent and only cost the federal government about $2.5 million a year, according to a report by the federal parliamentary budget officer.
“It’s a matter of equal treatment, not special treatment,’’ Downe said. “I’m calling on the government to have the same treatment for Islanders as they do for bridge users in Montreal.’’
With files by The Canadian Press
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