I am a native of the South Shore and travel each summer to visit my elderly father. While it was running, my family and I would take the Cat ferry in at least one direction and sometimes both. It allowed us to make the trip in one day versus 2 or 3 and we usually stayed in a hotel in Digby for at least a night. On top of that the kids always enjoyed the ride and still talk about it. We miss the ferry and will guarantee at least one vehicle and family of 5 every summer!

The loss of the marine link between the eastern seaboard of the US and Nova Scotia has negatively impacted not only the economy of South Western Nova Scotia but the entire province. Tourism and trade have both fallen dramatically since the 2009 closure of the ferry service from the US. That marine route should be viewed and managed with the same deference as all our 100 series highways. The tourism dollars, not to mention the tax dollars that have sailed away with the ship are substantial. I have operated a bed and breakfast on the South Shore for 23 years. The number of American visitors dropped to virtually nil when the ferry service from Maine ceased. American guests are now an oddity, not the norm. Potential guests would ring and tell me of their plan to take the ferry across. (The website for Bay Ferries Portland and Bar Harbour run still shows as current.) When I tell them it no longer exists, they check the flight prices. Once they’ve viewed those prices, they ring back to tell me they will be traveling within the States for their holidays. Access to Nova Scotia has virtually been shut down at BOTH ends of the spectrum: travel by sea or air is either non existent or financially prohibitive.

Tight Lines Guide Service lost 100% of our business that had been booked for the 2010 season before the ferry cancellation, when we lost every single booking. I have since closed this business, as it is no longer viable. My clients come from the Northeast USA mostly - although I had people from all over the world come fish with us. So, calculate an 8 to 10 hour drive from Portland Maine, and that was my market - perhaps 30 million people as far south as Virginia and west to Ohio who would drive to Portland in a day or so. I just returned from Florida, and many, many people said they wanted to come visit NS when they heard that's where I was from. Most lived in NY,NJ, Delaware, PA or New England. NONE were willing to come when they heard they'd have to drive to St John - as that adds an extra day. The Government of NS needs to understand - the drive to Portland, and then getting on the boat in the evening to sail overnight to Yarmouth - their vacation has started in their minds (a nice sea cruise). Driving to St. John adds another day and subtracts that day from their vacation. Without the restoration of the ferry, Tight Lines Guide Service, formerly the Province's premier fly fishing guide service, will remain closed. On a personal note, it removes from Yarmouth an over 120 year old tradition of guiding done for generations in my family. Sad to see such a stupid decision.

If there was still a ferry in Yarmouth, we could have brought several American bands to play in Yarmouth as well as throughout Nova Scotia, instead they need to drive around into NB then NS, driving there asking prices sky-high and not allowing us to bring them to play here.

As Curator of the Explore Oak Island Display, I am concerned with dwindling numbers of visitors who come to this part of our fine Province. I am of the opinion that a sea link between Nova Scotia and the United States is of great importance to tourism all along the South Shore.

I am the Pastor of Lighthouse Baptist Church. And though I am relatively new in the area, I have already seen the economic effects of the ferry loss. In fact I had some intention of riding the ferry last year before finding it had shut down. I have spoken with many folks here that either rode the ferry and would again, or wish their family didn't have to drive the long way around. It doesn't take long to see the impact that the loss of the ferry has had on the community. It is sad to see a blind eye has been turned to the south and through that literally hurting the tourism and even commercial industry of the entire province.

I travel every June to PEI from Pennsylvania. Up until 2009 I frequently spent a few days in Nova Scotia on the way home. Since the ferry stopped running, I have not been able to do that. Your province has lost an estimated $500.00 to $1000.00 tourist dollars from me each of those years. I'm making my plans right now for this year and find that I will again have to return through New Brunswick. Good luck with restarting the CAT. I miss visiting Nova Scotia.

I am a Yarmouth expat living in Toronto. My family and I travel to Yarmouth every summer....22 hours in the car. We would certainly use the ferry as would many friends who want to come visit who do not want to drive for two days. We also plan on moving back in a couple of years if the economy picks up and I want to open a business in downtown Yarmouth. Please bring the ferry back and support the transportation needs of Southwest Nova. No train, no plane, no ferry, how can the province expect any new businesses to open with a lack of transportation. It is very sad to see so many businesses closing all over Nova Scotia due to the lack of tourists which I believe is a direct result of the lack of the Yarmouth-Maine Ferry.

The cancellation of the Ferry service was indeed a shock. The timing of the announcement just before Christmas and at a time when all those in the tourism sector have their advertising in place for the coming year indicated the complete lack of respect on the part of our provincial government for what was once a vibrant industry. The cancellations by visitors that ensued affected the entire province as research has shown. On a personal level, our own B&B suffered a loss of income of at least 25% for the last two years.…basically, our profit. We can directly attribute the loss to the cancellation of the Ferry as we have precise tracking methods in place. In addition to our loss of income, we cut our staff by 50%. To compound our loss, prior to the cancellation we had decided to place our profitable B&B on the real estate market. The loss of income has frightened all potential buyers and we are faced with continuing to run the business barely making ends meet or drastically reducing our price, selling at a loss. I voted for the NDP in the last election. It was the first time I ever voted Orange. I am left feeling extremely disappointed and let down by our government (in many areas) and they can be assured I will not make the same mistake.

I live on the South Shore of Nova Scotia and have seen many losses in many places sence the ferry has been cancelled. I dont believe that we need to have a fast boat like the Cat. I remember the Scotia Prince.It was a slow boat but it could carry many passenger cars and also Big Rigs. I have seen alot of places close or on the verge of closing because of the decission not to fund a ferry in Yarmouth and I am only 32 years old. What will this place be like when I am in my 40s if there is no ferry for people to travel back and fort on.I was not happy at all when I read that Dexter government is funding 1 million a year for the Digby ferry and wont even look at the Yarmouth ferry. Stores,Resturents,hotels etc and missing out on so much without the ferry.If the ferry was running again you would see much more tourism in the province of Nova Scotia.

I have family in Florida that I haven't seen since the ferry service terminated. Flying is not an option for us and the drive is too long, and the price of fuel makes it unaffordable anyway, even taking the Digby Ferry, This ferry lifeline to see my US relatives, that was terminated, is only one of hundreds of thousands of reasons why this New England/Yarmouth, Nova Scotia link needs to be reinstated. This doesn't even include the probability of thousands of dollars of incurred cost that businesses face that rely on the roads. As well, truckers now have to drive longer distances. Fuel keeps going up. Many tourists can't afford the drive. People don't like to fly so much anymore. Business needs it, tourism needs it, Our families demand to have it. The Province of Nova Scotia has to keep this link running always. It must protect the families of our Acadian Heritage. There are plenty in NS, NB, New England, and probably spread all across the rest of Canada and the USA. The Province of Nova Scotia must stop ignoring this ferry issue, and step up to the plate to put it back where it belongs.

I feel an economic revenue stream has been severed. It needs to be repaired. It's not only mainland Nova Scotia that benefits. Cape Breton and Newfoundland as well see economic benefits from this link. Tourism is a sector that shouldn't be damaged by short sighted decisions. It is the future and is sustainable.

With the loss of the CAT ferry service in 2009 I have noticed a significant drop in revenue since then. Tourists numbers coming from the New England and surrounding area have really decreased due to this fact. Over the years I always ask people where they come from and how did they get here. A great number mentioned that they came across on the CAT. I was quite shocked when I heard the news of the closure of the service in 2009. We DID and still are feeling the effects of the blow. I really feel for the operators in Yarmouth who suffered a direct hit. I am still scratching my head over this one folks. Remaining Hopeful..... Angelo Spinazzola

Now living in Florida for 5 1/2 months of the year along with thousands of Maritimers - A lot of us would use this service when going home and again when leaving NS - also our family and friends would use the service when coming down to visite.

To whom it may concern; My name is Darren Crowell , I am the owner of East Coast Cabinets. Located in Yarmouth Nova Scotia, my business is approximately 1 km from the yarmouth ferry terminal. It just so happens that we fabricate granite countertops. We source our raw granite slabs from Boston Mass. Without the ferry this really complicates and adds great expense to my business. This means I have to travel for four days to retrive my product. If the ferry was in service here in Yarmouth I could drive one km to pick up my product shipped from boston on a returning trailer. Or have another trucking company bring it back on a LTL ( Less than Load). It seems to me that having a ferry service would greatly encourage economic growth for the entire region. Boston is my nearest supplier , now with the par dollar this is an advantage as a buyer. I realise East Coast cabinets is a small business but has a big vision. Unless expenses are reasonable small business cannot prosper. This ferry issue just adds another complication to running a business in a declining population and economy. Lets focus on a solution not the problem. Many problems can be overcome if you look at them with a truthful attitude. The bottom line in business are the numbers , numbers dont lie. Money well placed in a business or region is helpful. I am not a believer in assistance or handouts so lets not depend on government monies. Lets find a company who can run a ferry business here so we are not dependant upon government, atleast in the long term. A company that can run a ferry in the future without assistance is far better for everyone. Handouts have to be paid for by someone. If assistance is needed to get started that would be fine but lets not become dependant on them. A practical ferry for freight is what I feel is needed. Something that can haul trucks. Anyway enough said thanks for this. Darren Crowell

I am a vacationer and own a home near yarmouth. Who ever made the decision to stop the ferry service did not think of the people that live in the area and for that matter the whole province. Without the ferry we have had to limit our trips and time in our vacation home. We also have not been able to have our family come or friends. It is just to hard for people to come to Nova Scotia. They don't have the time to make the drive to St. John stay over night and lose so much time of their limited vacation. We have watched Yarmouth decline in the past few years. The downtown is so sad to see. No shops to enjoy. No tourists to talk to. Tourists loved the small town area and now we have nothing to enjoy. Please think of all the Americans that want to come and spend money when they get off the ferry! Please bring it back for everyone sake. The shop owners and business and also the many tourists that love to come and explore Nova Scotia. It is one of the most beautiful places to see! Please bring back the ferry!

I have a cottage business near Baddeck, in the heart of Cape Breton Island. Many of our guests used to come across on the ferry to Yarmouth, spend a few days in that end of the province, and work their way up to Cape Breton, spending money along the way. Business is not what it used to be, for several reasons, but the cancellation of the CAT was a bad decision. I can only imagine what a boost it would be for the economy south of Halifax to have that ferry service brought back, seasonally or otherwise. And, if it was brought back with assurances that it would not be axed every time there was a bump in the provincial finances, the level of confidence that would give to business owners would be huge. It would go a long way to remove the fear of investing in that end of the province. The trickle down effect would be felt everywhere in Nova Scotia.

I'm originally from Yarmouth Co. and now living in Maine. A ferry service was and would make visiting family much more convenient. I would shop for clothing/shoes in Ytown because I still prefer the style not offered here in Maine.

Removal of the Portland-Yarmouth ferry service greatly inconvenienced my relatives who live in Conn. and N. Carolina. They had used the ferry service every year for 20 + years to visit relatives in N.S. Bring it back please! Cy Bernard

In 2005 we purchased a piece of waterfront acreage on Jordan Bay, and began building what we now consider to be a wonderful summmer home. When looking at properties, we only considered those that were within a one hour drive of the Yarmouth ferry landing. Though we live in Florida, I have a boyhood family home on Cape Cod. It is a 4 hour drive from Cape Cod to Portland, and then a one hour drive from Yarmouth to Shelburne. Without a Portland to Yarmouth ferry, it is now an 11 hour drive to St. John, plus an OVERNIGHT stay, and a ferry ride to Digby, and then another one 1+15 hour drive back down to Yarmouth ( plus, the original one hour drive to Shelburne ). We have spent a considerable amount of money on our new Shelburne summer home. We had also intended to build a wharf, but cancelled that ( estimated $30,000 - local employment & local materials ) project last year, due to no ferry, and the subsequent decline in value of SW Nova Scotia real estate. I am now nearly 72 years old, and we are planning to list our Shelburne property for sale next year. We realize that we will take a huge real estate loss, but unfortunately Nova Scotia will experience a monetary loss as well. We pay substantial seasonal resident real estate taxes, and spend several thousand loonies each month in other ways. We also enjoy spending a few days in Annapolis Royal, on Cape Bretton, or on PEI, each season. This has been a wonderfully memorable experiment. For us though, without a Portland - Yarmouth ferry, the travel situation has already become VERY inconvenient, and with birthdays flying by, it will soon become unworkable. All too soon, will come our final good by to Nova Scotia! We shall always remember that you are way out there though ! When our friends ask about Nova Scotia, we already say...... It is an absolutely delightful place, but: "You can't get there from here".