Campobello Island residents want a ferry to the mainland, but it doesn't need to run every day, and it should be free if at all possible. These unsurprising findings were two of the reported results shared by Vaughn McIntyre of Vaughn McIntyre Consulting at the October 29 meeting of the Campobello Island council.
     "A total of 750 surveys were printed," and of those 163 were completed, said McIntyre to the full house of over 30. The survey was intended to determine residents' interest in a full‑time ferry connecting the island to the mainland, thereby reducing the need to use the bridge to Lubec and passing through U.S. Customs.
     "Campobello is thought to have one of the largest population percentage declines in the province," said McIntyre, with a loss of 14% compared to Deer Island and Grand Manan, where losses of 4% were experienced during the same time period. No statistical analysis was presented to support this assertion; however, the "lack of a direct connection" of a ferry service is believed a significant reason. The island has about 375 households, said McIntyre, and approximately 865 full‑time residents. Part‑time residents were also offered the opportunity to complete the survey, and 33 took advantage of the offer.
     Describing the current report as phase 1, McIntyre explained that the second report will focus on developing a business plan to implement one or more of the options evaluated in the first, as well as update or comment on previous studies. Conclusions include that "a vast majority of Campobello Island residents have expressed a need for a ferry connection" but few believe that it needs to be "at the year‑round frequency available to both Deer Island and Grand Manan Island," citing the bridge as "perhaps" contributing to that sentiment. The impact on tourism was the "number one sector impacted by a ferry service," with additional paperwork and extra costs borne by local businesses also important. He emphasized the point that residents and businesses, including those on the New Brunswick mainland, would invest more in the Canadian economy if a ferry were available.
     McIntyre addressed residents' fears that reestablishing the ferry might "cost them the bridge" by providing a viable alternative by pointing out that the Roosevelt Campobello International Park attracts over 125,000 visitors each year, most of whom are U.S. citizens who would not be dissuaded by the lack of a ferry, stating that "most prefer to use the bridge."
     While only one in six residents leave Campobello for work, according to respondents, 96% leave the island "every day or at least once a week," and 91% said they would use a ferry to Deer Island if it were available. Additionally, residents are inconvenienced by the lack of services such as banking and gasoline, with some businesses citing lack of volume as a deterrent to providing regular service. For instance, the lack of septic‑tank pumping services has been blamed on insufficient demand to justify bringing a truck from St. Stephen.
     A majority of 60% of respondents indicated a preference to travel to St. Andrews, which probably would not be a car‑ferry, and the St. Stephen area, with Saint John as the primary alternative. Cost remains an issue, with 93% believing the service should be free, while a "maximum upside limit appears to be $20 for residents." It was noted that the existence of a ferry would not significantly reduce travel time.
     Notably, business owners report currently purchasing over half of their supplies in the U.S., with 75% claiming purchases between $25,000 and $100,000 annually. They would probably, according to McIntyre, up their Canadian purchases from "60% to at least 80%," providing an economic boost to mainland businesses.
     "I'm in touch with a couple of lawyers who want to explore the constitutional issues here," said island Mayor Stephen Smart, prompting McIntyre to observe, "We should go slow here." This in turn drew a comment from a local resident. "What? Have we become second class citizens?" to which McIntyre apologized.
     The phase 1 report assessed and documented the issues facing Campobello Island residents and suggested options; identified the communities on the mainland that could address these issues; assessed the impediments of connecting with the mainland; assessed the potential benefit to the region should these impediments be resolved especially as they relate to tourism; and listed the options for ferry connections.
     The phase 2 report is expected to be released within 30 days.