PORTLAND, Maine — The province of Nova Scotia’s top tourism official announced he has delayed a decision on whether the operator of the Nova Star, a luxury ferry that runs daily from Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, will keep the route for a third season.
“I had hoped to announce an operator for 2016 this week, however, I’ve decided to take more time to make sure we get this right for Nova Scotians for the long term,” Geoff MacLellan, the province’s minister of transportation and tourism, said in a prepared statement.
MacLellan confirmed Thursday that the Nova Star’s operators have informed him the ferry will complete its 2015 sailing season on Oct. 14. The company had requested additional money from a $13 million (Canadian) subsidy from the province, but those latest requests were turned down because the company had not provided updated financial information for the 2015 season.
The company provided that information this week, which MacLellan said the province is now reviewing.
“I continue to be disheartened with how difficult it is to get information from the operators to support disbursing public money. This is unacceptable,” he said. “Until we review the remaining financial data we just received for the 2015 season, we will not be issuing any further money.”
The province had released about $8.1 million of the promised $13 million so far this season.
MacLellan said the province continues to consider proposals from other possible operators of the ferry service between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Portland.