Topic spans: 1969 - 2002
The Confederation Bridge: P.E.I. Connects
Almost since Confederation, a link between Prince Edward Island and the rest of Canada was a lively possibility. But would a fixed link sacrifice the island's stand-alone charm or just make life more convenient? And could a link disrupt the delicate ecosystem of the Northumberland Strait? From fishermen to farmers to ferry workers, the island's prospects were debated and protected. In 1988, after a 60-40 vote, the inevitable came to pass. It wouldn't be a tunnel or causeway; it would be a curvaceous, 12.9-kilometre bridge.
Confederation Bridge photo from Flickr Creative Commons courtesy of Quasimime
9 television clips
4 radio clips
Life in the ferry slow-lane
Broadcast Date: Aug. 4, 1968
Inadequate ferry service is tipping the political scales in favour of a fixed link. Round-the-clock lineups, unreliable schedules and a permanent dependence on federal subsidies are all factors.With the age-old possibility of building a fixed link between Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick now front and centre in P.E.I. politics, this CBC News report examines one of the major problems that would be solved by a link.
Life in the ferry slow-lane
• A federal research report had just proposed a bridge-causeway combination as the best solution. Though the report was federally comissioned, there was still no promise that the government would build anything, although access roads had already been cleared in anticipation of the go-ahead to start building.• Prince Edward Island became a province of Canada in 1873. One of its terms of agreement was that federally-funded transportation would be provided between the island the mainland.
• The invention of the icebreaking ferry in 1917 solved the problem of winter crossing over ice, and effectively put an end to any tunnel plans.
• By the 1980s, ferry services were costing Ottawa approximately $30 million per year to operate.
Life in the ferry slow-lane
Medium: Television
Program: CBC Television News
Broadcast Date: Aug. 4, 1968
Guest(s):
Reporter: Bill Curtis
Duration: 1:59
Last updated:
June 24, 2009
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13 clips in this topic . page
Television
14:23
April 26, 1959
The CBC's Norman DePoe takes viewers on a ride along the Seaway.
Television
2:19
On the occasion of the Rideau Canal's annual winter closing in 1953, CBC-TV takes a closer look at the canal's impressive lock system.
Life in the ferry slow-lane.
The CBC Digital Archives Website.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.
Last updated: June 24, 2009.
[Page consulted on Feb. 13, 2012.]