Interim ferry linking Magdalen Islands, P.E.I. coming as early as next year

The federal government is purchasing a temporary replacement for the MV Madeleine, a ferry that runs between Cap-aux-Meules, Que. and Souris, P.E.I., Transport Canada announced Thursday. 

After 39 years on the waters, the MV Madeleine is at the "end of its service life," the government said in a release. 

This prompted Transport Canada to issue an advance contract award notice, announcing its intention to purchase the MV Villa de Teror as a temporary replacement for the vessel, in order to ensure the safety of passengers.

The notice gives other interested ferry suppliers up to 15 days to submit an offer to Transport Canada. 

The Villa de Teror is currently owned by Naviera de Melenara SL, a company that manufactures ships out of Spain. 

"The ferry service is essential to the citizens of the Magdalen Islands as it connects their communities to the mainland, and it supports regional economies through the transportation of goods and tourism," Transport Minister Marc Garneau said in a statement. 

Should the purchase go through, the ferry would be in service from June 2021 until 2026, and would be renamed the MV Madeleine II.

"This is excellent news for the Magdalen Islands and for the community — to be able to count on a reliable boat quickly," said Emmanuel Aucoin, director general of CTMA, which runs the ferry service,. 

Last year, the federal government signed a contract with Quebec's Davie shipyard to build a permanent replacement for the MV Madeleine.

That ship, which is slated to go into service in 2026, will be named after the late political commentator and longtime federal cabinet minister Jean Lapierre, who was from the islands. Lapierre and several family members died in a plane crash in 2016. 

Once the new ship is ready, the federal government will sell the MV Madeleine II. 

Frédérik Boisvert, Davie shipyard's vice-president of public affairs, said the company is pleased with the decision to name the ship MV Jean Lapierre, but upset at the decision to purchase a foreign ship in the interim. 

While Davie shipyard would not be able to create a new vessel in time for 2021, Boisvert said the government should have made more of an effort to extend the life of the MV Madeleine before resorting to this purchase. 

"There's a historic habit of [the government] waiting until the last minute and having to go abroad to acquire new ships," said Boisvert. 

"Especially during COVID-19, when the economy is already struggling, you would think you'd like to hire workers, especially in the ship-building industry where wages are good." 

Despite the pandemic, Quebecers wanting to go to the Magdalen Islands this year have been allowed to take the ferry from Souris, P.E.I. since June 26 while adhering to certain restrictions while they are on PEI.