If a trip to Prince Edward Island was on your summer bucket list, here’s some budget-friendly news: crossing over just got a whole lot cheaper. Starting Friday, August 1, the toll on the Confederation Bridge, the only road link connecting PEI to mainland Canada, is dropping from just over $50 to $20.
And that’s not all. Ferry fares between PEI and Nova Scotia will also be slashed by 50%, giving travelers more affordable options to get on and off the Island.
Prime Minister Mark Carney made the announcement during a stop in Albany, PEI, calling the move a win for both tourists and Islanders. “By cutting tolls on the Confederation Bridge and ferries in Atlantic Canada, Canadians and businesses will save millions of dollars,” he said. “That means more travel and trade between provinces, a stronger, more united economy, and more prosperity and opportunity for Canadians.”
The changes come as part of a broader federal strategy to boost regional accessibility and ease trade tensions with the U.S., where tariffs on Canadian goods are set to increase from 25% to 35% this Friday.
Islanders have long pushed for lower bridge tolls, arguing they act as a barrier to both commerce and mobility. Premier Rob Lantz has referred to the fee as a “trade barrier,” especially burdensome for key industries like agriculture. With nearly a million vehicles crossing the bridge each year, trucking costs add up fast, some estimates place toll-related expenses for the potato industry alone at $7 million annually.
For everyday Islanders, the impact is personal. Many rely on trips to New Brunswick for medical appointments or family visits. The price drop could save some households hundreds of dollars per year.
The bridge, which stretches 12.9 kilometers over the Northumberland Strait, is considered the world’s longest over ice-covered waters. It was completed in 1997 at a cost of $1 billion and is still owned by the federal government.
Until now, the toll for a standard two-axle vehicle sat at $50.25, with even higher fees for trucks and RVs.
While the move is likely to be a hit with travelers and local businesses, critics are questioning where the lost revenue will come from. Some fear the toll reduction could shift costs onto taxpayers or affect maintenance budgets for the bridge.
Still, after weeks of frustration over delays in delivering on the toll cut promise, Islanders are welcoming the relief. Egmont MP Robert Morrissey, who was part of the provincial team that helped bring the bridge to life, acknowledged that federal negotiations with the operator, Strait Crossing Bridge Limited, were key to sealing the deal.
For now, though, it’s all smiles for those planning a PEI getaway. Whether you’re loading up the car for a beach weekend or catching the ferry for a scenic detour, getting to the Island just got a lot easier on your wallet.
