P.E.I. premier says he is '10 out of 10' confident bridge, ferry tolls will be reduced 

Prince Edward Island Premier Rob Lantz says after speaking with the prime minister during this week's Council of the Federation meetings that he is confident fares to cross the Confederation Bridge and use the Northumberland ferry service will be reduced soon.

During the federal election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged to cut the bridge tolls by more than half and reduce the cost of ferry rates between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia by at least 50 per cent.

So far, that hasn't happened.

But after three days of meetings with his provincial counterparts and Carney wrapped up Wednesday, Lantz was asked how confident he is that the reductions would happen, on a scale one to 10. 

"I'm a 10 out of 10…. We're going to make this happen," he told CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin. 

"It's my number one priority for the remainder of the summer to get this over the line."

As for a timeline, Lantz said he couldn't specify one because there is a lot of administrative and legal work that has to be done first. 

'Bumpy road with the United States'

Also on the premiers' agenda at the meetings in Huntsville, Ont., was the prospect of Canada reaching a trade deal with the United States by next month. 

Earlier this month, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened even higher tariffs on Canadian goods that flow south of the border — the new 35 per cent rate is expected to apply to goods that are currently tariffed at 25 per cent beginning Aug. 1. 

Carney has insisted that the Canadian government will only sign a new trade agreement if there is one worth signing.

Lantz said from the conversations at the meeting, it appears the federal government will stand firm and continue negotiations until there is a fair solution.

While he believes that will likely happen before the Aug. 1 deadline, Lantz said he recognizes that dealing with Trump can be challenging. 

"Whether we come to an agreement on Aug. 1 or not, I think the reality is we'll continue to negotiate or have some sort of bumpy road with the United States in terms of our trading relationship," Lantz said. 

The premier said the relationship between the two countries has changed fundamentally, and that change may outlast Trump's administration. 

Lantz said he has faith that Carney is working hard and has a strategy to deal with Trump. 

"It's a very difficult, complex subject, but they're working hard and I hope that we have some sort of resolution on Aug. 1 to give us some certainty going forward," he said. 

Lantz takes over as chair of the Council of the Federation on Aug. 1. The next summer meeting of the Canadian premiers will take place in P.E.I. from July 21-23, 2026.