Nova Scotia’s provincial government on Wednesday refused to divulge the details of a completed financial audit for the Nova Star Cruises ferry, an audit that holds the key for the ferry’s future after experiencing a less-than-stellar first season.
Economic and Rural Development and Tourism Minister Michel Samson on Wednesday said the province is continuing discussions with Nova Star and that it hasn’t spoken to other potential operators that have offered to replace the Portland to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, service, according to the Portland Press Herald.
Nova Star spokesman Dennis Bailey told the newspaper that ticket sales for the ferry’s second season will begin in mid-January and that an announcement is expected soon. “We are of the opinion that we are going to have a great season,” he said.
While Nova Star has promised to return for a second season, the ferry’s viability has been brought into question after struggling to meet expectations for ticket sales in its inaugural season and spending more money than initially expected.
Samson declined to discuss the audit, which was proposed last fall as a way to cut down on costs and increase inefficiencies. Nova Star has already spent $21 million (Canadian) in forgivable loans from the Canadian province that was originally supposed to be dispersed over seven years. The province then gave Nova Star an additional $5 million to help it stay afloat.
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