Mark Carney Cuts Confederation Bridge Toll to $20 and Halves Ferry Fares Across Atlantic Canada

In a move set to ease transportation costs across Atlantic Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a major reduction in tolls and ferry fares during a visit to P.E.I. on Monday. Starting August 1, the toll to cross the Confederation Bridge will drop from $50.25 to $20 for vehicles, a sharp cut that fulfills a long-standing Liberal campaign promise.

The 12.9-kilometre bridge, which connects Prince Edward Island to New Brunswick, handles around 95% of all passenger and commercial traffic entering or leaving the island. The toll reduction is expected to have a tangible impact on both everyday commuters and businesses that rely heavily on the route for the movement of goods and services.

But the bridge toll isn’t the only change. Carney also confirmed that fares on several ferry routes in Eastern Canada will be cut in half. This includes ferries operated by Eastern Canada Ferry Services between:

• Wood Islands, P.E.I. and Caribou, N.S.

• Saint John, N.B. and Digby, N.S.

• Souris, P.E.I. and Îles-de-la-Madeleine, Que.

Meanwhile, Marine Atlantic, the federally mandated ferry service connecting Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, will also slash traveller fares by 50% and freeze rates for commercial freight. Ottawa emphasized the importance of this route, noting that nearly 65% of all goods transported in and out of Newfoundland, including 90% of perishables like produce and propane, depend on Marine Atlantic’s services.

“These changes are about more than just cost savings,” said Carney. “When we make it more affordable to travel between provinces, we’re not just increasing mobility, we’re investing in regional economic strength, trade, and community connection.”

The federal government estimates that the combined reductions will save millions of dollars for families, transport companies, and regional businesses.