A planned highway toll for out-of-province drivers coming from Nova Scotia into New Brunswick is leading to plenty of controversy.
Business owners and local politicians in New Brunswick border communities say they are opposed to the plan and are worried what the financial implications will be.
“For everybody, they have to watch where they spend and they may decide not to travel at all or go in a different direction,” said Tom Trueman.
Trueman owns Trueman Blueberry Farms, a business in Aulac, N.B., known for its fresh blueberries and homemade ice cream.
He estimates about 35 per cent of his business comes from tourists and visitors from Nova Scotia. Not only that, but some of his employees make the journey across the border, too.
“It’s money out of people’s pockets. It will affect our staff. A number of our staff travel from Nova Scotia,” he said.
Premier Susan Holt’s government announced the toll in its provincial budget in March, estimating it would bring in $10.4 million annually once in place in 2028. The $4 toll would apply to out-of-province vehicles on the Trans-Canada Highway in Aulac, N.B.
The mayor or Tantramar, N.B., is also against the toll, saying it would hurt his community.
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“We have a lot of people who live in Amherst (Nova Scotia) who come here for services and businesses that we operate here, we have a lot of Mount Allison students who live in Nova Scotia who come here,” said Mayor Andrew Black.
“So that’s the economic drivers and that would be a disappointment for our community.”
He also says consultations should have taken place, because no one from the provincial government reached out to him or his council prior to going public with the plan.
“Just decisions like that made without consultation or us at the table is really frustrating,” said Black.
In the weeks since the toll was proposed, vocal opponents have included Nova Scotia politicians, the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce, and the Canadian Trucking Alliance.
Even Prime Minister Mark Carney weighed in.
He told reporters last week in Ottawa that the plan went against his government’s efforts to remove domestic trade barriers.
“No, I’m not happy … with the intention of New Brunswick, and we’ll continue to discuss with them,” Carney said on April 23.
Holt has defended the toll, saying the revenue is necessary to support critical infrastructure and highlighting how New Brunswickers have to pay a toll to enter both Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island via the the Cobequid Pass and Confederation Bridge.
But Trueman questions who will ultilmately pay the price.
“I can’t imagine that there’s not an easier way to raise the $10 million that they are suggesting is their positive gain from the tolls. There must be another way to do that that isn’t as detrimental to the local businesses,” he said.
Hey Dave there is no back way in to Nb , the toll would have to be on nb side of aulac, where they catch pei traffic and ns . The way your talking I bet it’s not going to be between aulac and ns side and besides if it was then pei wouldn’t care . You should really read about where it is going to be . You can’t by pass aulac toll it it’s on that Sackville side of aulac. Jesus sounds like a bunch of kids making excuses for the she devil. . Let’s see power rate out of control, your debt has got any better, Sackville will lose business just from ns side gravel pit close in nb will be hurt beca5same material can be bought in Cumberland county. For companies Truro do work in Cumberland county. Bet the tax money
off that will be more than the big stupid toll will ever make
Barbara your province is no better than ns or pei. You also forget every thing you use comes by transport trucks either pei or ns quess who will get the Extra cost yup nb residents. We don’t need to as you say look it up . If you have to look it up then obviously you don’t travel outside nb you only read what someone else wrote . Sorry I been in nb and ns all over both ns is ever but if not better than nb. If you don’t travel outside nb then you don’t know what your talking about there no till at ns border Jesus it in cobuquid pass. Everyone had to pay it from start only ns doesn’t pay it since 2021, in Another word nb should not be exempt. Why’s that so you can cross in to Amherst to ship at malls are but foods at restaurants. Fregin to faced Bunch.
Sam you are wrong nb residents do not pay to enter Nova Scotia. You either are blind or miss informed. Any one in a car or half ton has always been able to buy pass the toll in cobuquid pass tolls that a half hr away from the border turn on maps on your phone then maybe you will have a clue about what your talking about,and go threw Wentworth valley. Which unless your to young to know which seems to be the case or never go very far Wentworth valley was the original TCH. It does not cost to drive into ns. That’s bull. I go back and for daily to Sackville and Amherst and springhill there is no toll at. Ns border maybe you should try driving into ns then you realize how stupid it is what you wrote here.
That a lie that Holt said nb has to pay a toll to get in ns that is as pure lie or incompetent stupid reason for toll at nb drivers can bypass cobuquid pass tolls threw Wentworth valley. They been doing it for years. Daa this women is something else put the toll up in another spot toward Moncton NB. That 10 million is a lie nb will lose a massive amount of tax money because of the people that will just not shop in nb.carney could force no till at nb border because cuts a Queens high way federal government could shut her down. Beside nb got 29 percent to much in equalization payment so ask her to return it. Thrift this lady and the morons that came up with this will have traffic bottle neck so bad at aula it likely will destroy here next election
I believe the toll is fair. New Brunswick residents had to pay to enter Nova Scotia, so now it works both ways.
There is another side, however. I believe the liberal government has mismanaged money and is trying to scramble to balance the books. Libraries struggle to get funding, roads are not being cleared at night during winter, roads are not being maintained, property taxes on our homes are out of control, and the liberals are gutting services, yet we have a deficit. It doesn’t make sense. The Conservatives fixed roads and ended up with a $500M surplus, so something is wrong.
She punishing Nova Scotians to enter NB? That is the target of her new income. Everyone had to pay for the pass, bridge to PEI or take the ferry. Iam thinking the mismanagement of money is in play, by all governments. So lets tax the Nova Scotian’s to come to NB.
Why is it acceptable for both PEI and NS and other provinces to have a toll when New Brunswick, infuriatingly known as the ‘drive thru province’ and one of the poorest in Canada, should not have one to help pay for the roads thousands of vehicles and trucks from out of the province drive on everyday?? Accommodation can be made for those who live in the border community and work in NB. While I’m at it, quit ‘driving through’ this gorgeous province. There is as much beauty here as there is in any other of the Atlantic Provinces. Look it up!
Holdt is only doing this because like a typical liberal, she thinks she can just throw money at issues and they go away. Now we’re $5+ billion in debt and nothing got better. I don’t know what bothers me about her more, the fact she’s stupid as a stick, or her face.
The locals living in Amherst know there is a back way in so they can easily avoid the toll if they want to.