An economic impact study is coming this fall for the CAT ferry.

The Yarmouth-to-Bar Harbor, Maine service will undergo a broad overview, according to Public Works Minister Kim Masland.

She told reporters yesterday that the province will issue a tender for the study.

Masland says it’s important that Nova Scotians know if their taxpaying dollars are being spent wisely.

Masland said last month that the service would undergo a review, and said cancellation could be a possibility.

Premier Tim Houston says the lease for the ferry has been extended for another season, meaning the CAT should sail again in 2023.

Government has expressed disappointment in passenger numbers this season, and Houston said Nova Scotians would have liked to see higher numbers.

The CAT carried just over 36,000 passengers in its first season back from the pandemic.

Opposition Leader Reacts:

Liberal leader and Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill is happy that the CAT will run next year.

Zach Churchill says the economics already make sense for the service.

He says up to 40 million dollars was spent by U.S. tourists in our province over the summer.

“I think it’s unfortunate that Yarmouth’s always targeted here, and that all of the ferries the province subsidizes aren’t being reviewed. There is a lot invested in them,” says Churchill.

Churchill says the upcoming economic impact study should be independent of government, and be led by the tourism industry.