A proposed truck ferry linking Wheatley and Cleveland could create a new trade route across Lake Erie, but questions remain about border processing, infrastructure and the impact of potentially hundreds of trucks moving through the small Chatham-Kent community. The Port of Cleveland and Milo Harbour Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding in July to explore a cross-lake truck ferry service that could launch as early as 2028. The proposed service would connect Milo Harbour in Wheatley with the Port of Cleveland, with a capacity of up to 300 round-trip truckloads per day and an estimated two- to three-hour one-way transit time. The project is being promoted as a way to strengthen Canada-U.S. supply chains and provide an alternative to congested highway and rail routes, including the Windsor-Detroit corridor. But Chatham-Kent-Leamington MP Dave Epp says there is a fundamental question that needs to be answered before other aspects of the project can be considered. “There are a number of potential positive and negative consequences of this project,” Epp said in an interview Tuesday. “However, this is proposing an international crossing. And so, an international crossing … requires the resources of the CBSA, Canadian Border Services Agency.” Epp said an agreement from the federal government to staff and resource the proposed crossing should be the first step. “Until there’s an agreement from the government through the CBSA to staff and resource a crossing, all of the other points are virtually moot,” he said. Epp said his office has not been approached about the proposal by the Canada Border Services Agency. He pointed to the Port of Picton as an example of the challenges involved in establishing a new international marine gateway, saying the port was unable to secure CBSA services and therefore is not operating as an international destination. Epp said the proposed capacity of up to 300 trucks a day also creates questions around traffic and security. “Obviously, what 300 trucks means is economic activity. That’s a good thing. 300 trucks also means traffic,” he said. “Depending on the state of the road, the direction, the routing could have safety concerns.” Epp also raised questions about the resources required to screen incoming commercial traffic. “It’s not just a staffing issue. It’s a resource issue. I’ll come back to the trucks and the importation. That requires scanning,” he said. The proposed project would require additional investment in customs and border-processing facilities, as well as a roll-on/roll-off ramp for trucks and trailers and other marine-handling infrastructure, according to the Port of Cleveland and Milo Harbour. Chatham-Kent Mayor Darrin Canniff has described the proposal as an opportunity that could position the municipality as an important gateway for Canada-U.S. trade. “A direct freight connection across Lake Erie has the potential to attract investment, support local businesses and create new opportunities for economic growth,” Canniff said in a statement provided by the municipality. Canniff said municipal officials are also looking to better understand what the project could mean for economic development, infrastructure, agriculture and future investment. Lauren Anderson, the Chatham-Kent councillor whose ward includes Wheatley, said the community’s location on Lake Erie could make it well positioned for the proposal. “Wheatley is already home to the largest freshwater commercial fishing port in the world, and this MOU highlights the tremendous potential of our community and its location on Lake Erie,” Anderson said. She said officials are interested in both the potential benefits and impacts on local infrastructure and the agricultural community. Residents in Wheatley and those who spend time in the community also have mixed views about the proposal. Wheatley resident Linda Drummond said she likes the idea but questions whether the community has the infrastructure to accommodate it. “I think the infrastructure might not be there,” she said. Judi Goodfellow, a Chatham-Kent resident, said she sees potential economic benefits but questioned whether the community is equipped to handle as many as 300 trucks a day. “If there’s an interest in and it’s feasible, why not?” she said. But she added that 300 trucks “seems like a lot” for a small community with narrow roads. Kevin Kerr, who was at the Wheatley harbour Tuesday, said he supports the potential economic benefits. “Boost the economy. I got nothing against it,” he said. Todd and Kathy Biederwolf, who have spent summers in Wheatley for about 25 years, said they are concerned about the potential environmental and community impacts. Todd Biederwolf said he would like to see environmental studies and ongoing monitoring if the project moves forward. “The first concern I think would be environmental,” he said. “Economy is important, but it doesn’t always have to come first.” Kathy Biederwolf said the project could alter the community’s traffic patterns. “It would change that. It would change the traffic pattern within our little, small community,” she said. The Port of Cleveland and Milo Harbour say the project could reduce highway congestion and wear on regional roads by shifting some long-haul truck traffic onto the Great Lakes. They also say marine transportation could potentially reduce diesel emissions and improve air quality by reducing truck kilometres travelled. The partners say they are still evaluating infrastructure requirements, regulatory approvals and operational planning. The Canada Border Services Agency has been contacted for comment on the proposed international crossing and the requirements for establishing customs and border-processing operations at Milo Harbour. A response was not immediately available. Epp said he believes the economic potential should be discussed, but only after the federal border-processing question is addressed. “Bring the agreement with the CBSA,” he said. “And then let’s sit down and talk about the positive economic benefits and also the concerns the community might have around beach access, around commercial fishing remaining a primary focus of this harbour and things like that.” The project partners continue to target an early 2028 launch, although regulatory approvals, infrastructure, and operational planning remain outstanding.
