The Government of Nova Scotia has announced that to keep the Maine-NS ferry running in 2019 it will invest $8.5M in terminal upgrades and operations at Bar Harbor, Maine, along with a subsidy of $13.8M for service operator Bay Ferries Ltd.

Proponents say this is a good move because the previous Maine terminal in Portland was a year-to-year deal, whereas the upgraded facility in Bar Harbor is expected to be a permanent home for the ferry service.

Opponents object to the Province spending money in Maine vs. at home - particularly with regard to $600K to be paid for customs officers' salaries.

Delays related to the recent US Government shutdown, and construction in Bar Harbor, have set back the anticipated beginning of 2019 ferry service to late June, vs. April as in previous years - which surely will negatively impact Bay Ferries' 2019 sales.

Will that $138M subsidy be sufficient to keep The Cat service afloat for the full 2019 season?

Stay tuned.