A disruption to the Fundy Rose ferry would devastate Digby-area businesses.

That message from the Chair of the Digby Area Tourism Association, as the federal government ponders moving the ferry to the Magdalen Islands for part of 2024.

Karen Enright says the depend greatly on the ferry.

“It may not only lead to economic devastation for a period of time, but it the disruption could last longer than what they originally thought, and that would cause some really serious issues,” said Enright.

She says they’ve requested a meeting with Federal Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez in Digby, so he can meet local stakeholders.

Enright noted they are still recovering from the pandemic.

“When there’s not an easy solution to get to a location, people will make other plans. And then how many years will it take to regain that confidence from the traveler?”

Over 41,000 people use the ferry each year, along with 4,000 commercial tractor trailers.