The Cat Ferry pulled out of Yarmouth harbour for its last run of the 2026 season, and without a contract for next year, the question is, will it return? “The Cat Ferry service means everything to Yarmouth,” says the town’s mayor, Pam Mood. “We are fishing and we are tourism.” The most recent passenger numbers released in July showed almost 32,000 people used the service. That’s a jump of nearly 30 per cent in ridership over the same timeframe from 2025. “It was amazing. We absolutely loved having the visitors here. There’s tens of thousands of them. “You can actually see the increase in numbers,” Mood says. This year, the province gave a $21 million subsidy to Bay Ferries to operate the Cat. An economic review shows that revenue generated annually from the ferry service brings in around $40 million provincewide. “I think we need to keep all routes open to Nova Scotia. I fully support the Cat Ferry,” Cumberland North MLA Elizabeth Smith-McCrossin says. “We’re very connected and they actually are our natural trading partners. The Eastern seaboard of America, we need to keep those relationships strong even through these tumultuous times. I think if the premier was to cancel that ferry, it would be sending the wrong message to the United States. Mayor Mood says if a deal is coming for 2027, she’d like it to be announced sooner than later. “The timeframe has caused a lot of concern so for example, buses they book a year, sometimes two years in advance so a bus tour, by now they want to know that they are coming over on the ferry.” Asked if a contract is imminent, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Works tells CTV, “We understand how important the Yarmouth ferry service is for the region and our province’s tourism sector. Our focus is on finding a solution as quickly as possible. At this time, it would not be appropriate for us to discuss details. When we have an agreement, it will be announced.” Until then, plans for next season will be on hold. If a contract is signed, Mood says she would like to see a 10-year deal in place. That would allow businesses to feel comfortable investing in growth and tour companies to book years in advance. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
