The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is welcoming an economic impact study on the CAT ferry service.

Interim Atlantic Director Jay Goldberg calls the Yarmouth to Bar Harbor, Maine vessel ‘a taxpayer boondoggle.’

He says taxpayer handouts should end as quickly as possible because the service isn’t economically viable.

The CAT carried over 36,000 passengers in 2022, its first year in operation since 2018.

The province provided $17 million for the service last year.

A request for proposals for the study was issued this week, it should be done by late-2024.

The study will take a comprehensive look at the service to help the province make informed decisions on the future of the ferry.

Many businesses in the Yarmouth area rely on the ferry for strong business throughout the season.