Why do we pay to cross the Confederation Bridge? | Good Question P.E.I.
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- čas přidán 15. 02. 2024
- With the launch of CBC's new podcast, Good Question P.E.I., the number one question people asked was why we have to pay to cross the Confederation Bridge. Podcast host Nicola MacLeod explains.
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When we were in PEI, we spoke with a man who had to close his fish supply business due to the lack of customers. It was sad to hear.
Stuff like this happens all over Canada. The problem for Atlantic Canada is high taxes, high regulation, and excessive social benefits that have created a moribund economy and society. Ironically, the pandemic and housing crisis are the last hopes for revitalizing the region as some Canadians flee East.
As an Albertan I remember it was $35 to cross the bridge when I went there in 2003. Came back again in 2022, it was $50. 🙄
That’s actually $2 LESS than inflation over that same period.
Not sure why the eye roll. 🙄
Yea 15 bucks in 19 years....wow out of control inflation....lmfao.
I’m thinking there’s a carbon tax included in the cost to drive over the bridge. Or perhaps it’s cheaper for people to put putt over in an EV
I remember how they said that it will take 50 years of tolls just to pay back the cost of building the bridge in the first place, and then it will require maintenance so the tolls would be lowered down to around 1/4 of the original amount but they could never be removed completely. Plus the bridge will only last 200 years, and then they will need to replace it.
1:50 "Champlain costed five times more to build" did you just made it up ? PEI bridge costed 1.3B$ and Champlain 4.2b$
Inflation adjusted, PEI costed 1.75x more. Not 5x.
Sources?
CHamplain bridge was 100 years old and it is the busiest bridge in Canada more than 70 million crossings ... All goods from atlantic and north of USA cross the Champlain bridge to Canada
@@jeanbolduc5818 They are talking about the new Champlain bridge.
This is why we need to teach critical thinking in schools. Medias will twist facts to fit their agenda.
And the cost doesn’t expose the usage. Confederation bridge clearly has less traffic than the new Champlain’s bridge. There’s a point where it make sense to make something a 100% government funded project, when it’s a central structure for a province.
I was annoyed to get a 50 dollar toll chage leaving the island that I did not know was a thing. But after thinking abut it, a Ferry ride is always a cost so I guess it makes sence.
I think they're charging too much, but there should always be a toll. Compare to crossing the 5 mile Mackinac bridge about $11.00 CAD for both ways. Confederation Bridge not quite twice as long so I'd say about $20 CAD for both ways would be on par with that. I suppose a "free" crossing might be on the table as well, but just to put it in perspective $20 wouldn't be outrageous.
The cost is based on the costs to build and maintain the bridge, not some arbitrary number. You realize this bridge crosses an icebound straight that is pretty much open ocean right?
@@jeffclark5268 Yes, I'm aware of the challenges of building it, in particular extra strong pre built components with icebergs being a consideration. I suspect that those won't require much maintenance since they are an initial cost, so once it's paid off, the tolls should be able to come down. So am I comparing apples and oranges? Possibly, but I still think the prices can come down when the bridge is paid off.
Same company that owns the 407 in Ontario, thanks Conservatives
Da it was the liberals that sold it
Or you pay the government in taxes. Nothing is free. Economics 101
Lol how about the 260 BILLION from liberals to GC? We could have bought the bridge and made it gold!
Why some people think everything should be free in this country is a good part of the reason we are well over a trillion in debt, sadly it continues to grow by 40 billion plus a year.
You do understand that TRUDEAU has been the PM for over eight years...right
So WHO exactly should pay the toll to leave the island if NOT the people leaving the island?
People living there shouldn’t have to pay.
@@arakwar I live here, we’re and island, we used to have to pay for the ferry… WTF is the difference? Socialism hasn’t completely taken over yet.
@@maxxwellbeing9449 In a socialist state you wouldn't be taxed nor have to pay for crossing any bridge. Taxes are anti-socialist. If the economy is owned by everyone, why would there be taxes? I'm not even a socialist, but socialism is the antithesis of taxes.
@@maxxwellbeing9449 We're far from being a socialist country nor is there any strong socialist movement in Canada.
@@TokyoBalletReprise - socialist, you own nothing, and get paid nothing. In Cuba, Engineers and Doctors work for resorts as bartender and get paid more.
Cape Breton Island is an Island in Canada, had a causeway built, had tolls for 50 years and now it's free to leave and return.
Oh, You have the GST center, taxing the sh*t out of everyone else.
$20 would be amazingg
what did the ferry cost? I will never use it. Why should I pay?
There was indeed a toll to cross the Champlain Bridge in Montreal. It was removed, however, partly because the toll slowed down the flow of traffic and the amount collected was so small that it could be easily re-couped in other ways. Toll bridges do exist in Montreal, using cameras to scan the plate and automatically bill the driver or use a prepaid permit system. I guess ultimately one function of a toll was to reduce the amount of traffic that is of low value. For example, to reduce trips made by a car occupied by a driver and no passengers, on a daily basis.
Maybe Champlain bridge should charge $50 like the PEI bridge, that should bring in a significant amount of money.
Same reason we have to pay for the ferry to Vancouver Island in BC
Although not an islander, I believe each residential civic address should be given at least 6 free passes each year.
Why? The ferry cost money, the bridge costs money. Want to live on an island…it costs money to leave the island. Don’t want to pay…don’t leave the island or don’t live on an island.
@@jeffclark5268 Let’s apply the same to every bridge then. Let’s charge fees to everyone who enters or leave Montreal. Or everyone using a bridge in Ottawa.
PEI government can make the toll a tax deductible fee. Why don’t they?
Why would they? We used to have a ferry…should that have been free, or did we need to pay to maintain it?
Is there a Good Question PEI equivalent for BC and other Provinces or is this simply a CBC PEI initiative?
Great question! There are two other 'Good Question' podcasts - in Montreal and Saskatchewan. We also have weekly 'This Is' local podcasts in Calgary, Ottawa, Edmonton, and Vancouver Island. You can find them all on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.
You can read more about our new local podcasts here: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/good-question-p-e-i-podcast-1.7097741
I was in the area again
But because of the price to cross
We did not go. If the price was something like $5 Then we would have crossed and had lunch. Hurts the business in PEI
PEI to NB And MTL as no Border with NB OR Ont.
If you live on Martha’s Vineyard off Cape Cod you pay much more than $50 to get yourself and your car there. 🤷♀️
Thanks. A privatly run ferry to an island off of Massachusetts- in the U.S- is entirely relevant and comparable to the discussion of PEI (an entire Canadian Province) premier discussing the entire provinces current economy, running the numbers and looking to reduce the bridge toll to $20 for islanders? This isn't a surprise Nantucket. The bridge is on track to be paid off in 7 years and that's based off of pre pandemic traffic numbers. Thanks for your support.
@@hifilofiwifiand once again….who should pay if not the people who live on the island, or more specifically, use the bridge?
These video clips are from 1987 but I get why your giving your opinion like you think you understand: The entire video is extremely facetisious, disingenuous presentation. The Fixed Link was supposed to be Canada's fulfillment to the Province of PEI for joining confederation in lieu of maintaining ferry service ( The link to the mainland). the terrible ferry service that was --intentionally neglected-- poorly maintained by the federal government.., how better to force the issue on locals. presented it as a better alternative and Canada still fulfilling it's prmise to PEI (hense The name: The Fixed Link) and then when they gained just enough approval to start construction in 1993, they made an amendment presenting a technical loop hole, passing the costs onto the generally poor local islanders, once it's all paid for it then belongs to the Federal (not Provincial) Government. Neat how they own it after we pay for it eh. This was for the benefit of the Federal Governement, Contractors and large business. . But despite that we have diligently paid. Idk why this lady made this segment without adding any contextual relevance. It's bs. The contract to pay back the bridge was based on traffic numbers to the island PRIOR to having the link and long overdue to be renegotiated! PEI has paid enough!
Stomping Tom would of wrote a great bridge song about the bridge with a amazing bridge in the song and verses afew with spuds and trout river trailers 🙏🏿🇨🇦
Those people were concerned with division. Imagine, politicians actually used to care and work for their citizens.. now its control control control...
If you follow the federal governments history, you'll be paying triple when that contract expires
They forget about the deal and the ferry.
Why shouldn't they pay?
Why do Newfoundlanders, have to pay for ferry service, to or from the island to North Sydney. No where else, in Canada, do you have to pay, to leave your province, NFLD is the most heavily taxed province in Canada. This is one, we can do without.
Just like the ferry to Vancouver Island, this is the Trans Canada highway, a federal responsibility. And just like the ferry to Vancouver Island, the feds desert their responsibility.
PEI is no longer an island…..it now part of New Brunswick!
American here...
-There are toll bridges in the NYC and SF Bay areas. You have to pay to enter or leave Staten Island.
-There are toll bridges linking Ontario to Michigan and New York State.
Some fuss.
How much is the toll to leave Staten island? $7. The ferry is also free so there's that option. SfB is $9. Prince Edward Islanders have no free option and the toll is $50.25.
The premier is discussing reducing the toll to $20. There should be more fuss honestly, these are just clips of interviews done in the 80's and 90's.
@@hifilofiwifiso who should pay the other $30? Taxpayers who never visit the island?
... Pay your debt like everyone else. Without it, the cost of living would be higher (e.g., Newfoundland and Labrador).
They said ever you need to know. When the government made a bridge it cost 4 x as much. At least when you pay the toll, you know it is going to the bridge.
Wow, politics drive how areas are treated by the government? I live in Alberta - welcome to our reality. It would be nice if we were all treated fairly and equitably, but unfortunately the number of votes / seats will always dictate how we are treated.
Alberta is treated poorly by their own. Conservatives are the one destroying your province.
Well... a deal is a deal is a deal.... Also, you don't have to pay to go over there... just to come back out...
1:48 Exactly. 🐖 A trillion dollar country could more than easily pay for the bridge, as opposed to passing the cost onto regular civilians. 😑
You mean a country who is well over 1 trillion in debt? A country who continues to add to that debt by 40 billion a year, take in 457 billion spent 497 billion in 2023.
Yet the ROC is always opposed to any investment made in Quebec.
Why should the while country pay for a couple of thousands people who choose to live on a remore island?
If the province wants to make the toll tax deductible for their citizen they can do it.
Not sure why PEI is a province when the whole Island has only the population of a small city. If they want a voice and say
All the Maritime provinces should really just be 1 province if they want to get more bang for their buck. Only common sense
I agree.. the Trans canada highway is a continuum connecting Canada… paid for by the Country. Only in the case of water crossings are costs paid by users… Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and British Columbia have huge systems paid by the users… uniquely in Canada. BC Ferries keeps Vancouver Islanders in an oppressed situation just as the other side of the country is paying out of pocket that doesn’t occur in the rest of Canada. The North has all kinds of incentives to help with costs of living… as it should. The inequity along the trans canada highway seem to me to be either a relatively small amount for the federal budget or an incredibly inequitable desparity between provinces….. take your pick.
There are ferries everywhere is Canada along the Sst Lawrence and we pay for ferries and it is normal ...
@@jeanbolduc5818
I am starting to plan a book on unique and unusual ferries… I would like to hear more…
Why do we have to pay to get off Vancouver Island? We get NO subsidy from Ottawa! Costs us hundreds every trip! No surprise that this ENTITLED broadcaster is using public money to be a mouthpiece for ENTITLED citizens! All Canadian taxpayers owe them a free bridge? I used to love and respect the CBC for superior programming and reporting. No more!
We all pay ferries across Canada not only in BC ... Ferry is not a bridge
Things cost money I’m smart !
You are smart . I always thought money came from a government printer .But found out it came from me, a taxpayer .
Why is it still called Confederation Bridge? I am amazed Trudeau did not re-name it, The Rainbow Bridge, Indigenous Bridge, Africa Bridge, Trans Bridge, Liberal Party of Canada Bridge, the list is endless....
Never crossed and never will.
Just like Iles-de-la-Madeleine with a tourist tax. No thank you.
To get to the other side 🤣
To be fair, the amount of business made in Montreal outweighs that of the whole island of PEI. Plus, Champlain Bridge is a major crossing for truckers from other provinces and the States. Confederation Bridge? Not so much 😉
So, our tax dollars paid for this bridge, but we have to pay to use what our money built...😮
Sure don't want to pay? Stay in PEI
So we can send more money to Ukraine.
PEI complains again. I live there for 2 years, Winters were hell, summers were fun. All there was to do was to Drink and ....
The ferry got stuck once and grounded for the entire weekend due to bad weather.
Businesses needed the link, they asked for it, they pay for most of it.
I live on an Island too, Cape Breton Island. They borrowed the money for the Canso Causeway and taxpayers paid for it through tolls. Well after paying the money back the tolls were removed.
Same with Cobequid Pass Tolls, paid for the new highway, same for the 407 in Toronto.
PEI thinks they are the only Canadians that live on an Island. So arrogant. Everyone else is from "Away".
My guess is it cost 1.3 billion tax dollars to build and maintenance costs every year. Do the PEI residents who benefit greatly from increased tourism dollars because of that same bridge really expect to not pay the fare.....grow up already.
Why do people have to pay to drive from halifax to dartmouth! Also pei is filled with covid 19! Dr Robert strange says you can not go from halifax to Charlotte Town! Without a 2 week quartine! Pei covid 19 capital of canada!
If it was in Quebec you wouldn't pay a toll
Tax wealth/ billionaires should not exist. Introducing a fr tax on wealth and generational wealth* would produce an inexhaustible pool of public cash.
*Exceeding 100 million dollars. This is more a US provision, lol.
I like rich people....a poor person has never given me a job
Perhaps if they spoke french and had Trudeau for their representative they would get a FREE $500 million bridge with maintenance paid for by the rest of Canada in perpetuity. Two other Federal bridges but they are not in Quebec so local users must foot the bill. As if $14 billion for 23/24 in equalization payments weren’t enough, Quebec knows how to play the system to the rest of Canada’s detriment.
The 14b$ in equalization payments is for programs we already have here and we use the exclusion option to opt out of the federal programs and instead receive the money we are due for those program.
Ever wondered why they don’t talk that mich about Quebec’s program elsewhere in Canada? That’s because people would realise that the equalization scare is bullshit.
I would love to see that program ends though. Stop forcing provi ces to share money with the others. Just give provinces their share if funding from federal programs, and that’s it. If a province can’t be « profitable » on their own why should we keep it in the federation?
You’re small and you’re not Quebecers that’s why you’ll be paying till 2036
Walk across. That's free.