FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Summerside, PE – The Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce (GSCC)
applauds Premier King for recognizing the long-standing commitment of Senator Percy
Downe and the public advocacy work of the Chamber in his recent request to reduce
tolls on the Confederation Bridge.
King recently spoke with federal officials about reducing the toll on the Confederation
Bridge by 60%, with a goal of bringing the cost to cross down to $20 by September
2023. Last fall, the GSCC had submitted a policy resolution through the Canadian
Chamber of Commerce recommending that the Government of Canada take action to
reduce the burden on transportation corridors, both domestically and internationally.
As part of the GSCC’s mission to remove barriers to commerce on the Island, they have
long advocated for reduced transportation costs as one of the most notable offsets that
would have a major impact on the economic well-being of Island communities.
Over the past year, ground freight costs have increased by 2 percent to 4 percent
monthly and Canada’s average fuel price peaked nationally in May of 2022 at 206.3
cents/litre, an increase of 54 per cent from December of 2021. With such meteoric rise
in these significant inputs to the transport of goods, the burden of costly tolls on all
goods entering the Island is being keenly felt.
“The rising cost of transportation has been a major concern for GSCC members,
especially those in rural or remote communities that are isolated from transportation
hubs” says Blake Doyle, President of the Chamber. “The current period of rising
transportation costs and freight inflation has been a significant challenge, and it’s clear
that something needs to be done. We are grateful to see Premier King stepping in to
support affordability of movement by seeking a reduction in tolls on the Confederation
Bridge.”
The GSCC is proud to have collaborated on the long-standing commitment of Senator
Downe promote domestic travel and tourism. While the Federal government cannot
directly influence all input costs, it does have discretion over Federal highway tolls,
tariffs, and transportation taxes. The GSCC proposal, submitted in October, encouraged a
balanced national transportation tariff discount, in the hopes that it would
find support in Ottawa as the Prime Minister of Canada has expressed his support of
affordability of movement.
As a voice for Island Businesses, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce has
worked closely with the Province over the years to ensure the continued economic
success of the Island. “We believe that by fostering an open and honest dialogue with
the Province regarding the concerns of businesses we will be able to affect positive
change. We are hopeful that with Premier King’s support, our advocacy efforts in this
case will result in a reduced toll on the Confederation Bridge.”
As a non-profit organization, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce
represents and promotes the needs of the local business community. Established in
1900, the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer organization
made up of business and professional people sharing a common goal — the economic
development of the Greater Summerside area. Small and large businesses from
virtually every sector and profession form the membership.