The board of directors for Walpole-Algonac Ferry Ltd. have decided not the change their rates after all.
A meeting was held on the First Nation reserve on Thursday night when the decision was made.
“There won’t be any rate change for the time being,” James Jenkins, political advisor to Walpole Island’s chief and council, told the Sydenham Current.
The one-way fare for vehicle traffic was set to rise to $10 on April 22, however the decision was reserved the day before the changes were set to take effect.
Many Walpole Island residents were concerned about the proposed 43% hike.
However, the current price of $7 remains in tact.
Jenkins said a corporate assessment of the ferry is still underway.
“That is on-going and council is still looking at other ways to assist the ferry through that process,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins added Walpole Island wants to continue exercising their right to a border crossing.
“As members of Walpole Island we’re signatories to the St. Anne Island Treaty of 1796 and we are beneficiaries of the Jay Treaty. Both of those treaties recognize our border crossing rights. Even though the majority of ferry traffic is off of Walpole Island, we have a vested interest in the profitability of the ferry so we can continue to exercise our border crossing rights.”
Jenkins added: “That is one of the main reasons why we purchased the ferry in the first place.”
Walpole-Algonac Ferry Ltd. has been in operation for over 100 years.
For more information, visit their website here.
