Premier Tim Houston says tolls on the Cobequid Pass are different from proposed toll measures in New Brunswick because drivers in Nova Scotia still have alternate travel routes available.
Houston was asked about the issue during a cabinet scrum Thursday, following questions about interprovincial trade barriers and transportation costs.
The premier was asked whether maintaining tolls on the Cobequid Pass runs counter to broader efforts aimed at improving trade and movement between provinces.
Houston said he supports reduced tolls and pointed to previous changes made both on the Cobequid Pass and Halifax harbour bridges.
“That toll has been there for, I guess, 30 years,” Houston said.
“We’ve made some changes so we’ve decreased it.”
He contrasted the Nova Scotia situation with discussions in New Brunswick around potential new toll measures.
Houston argued New Brunswick’s proposal would have a greater impact because there are fewer alternate routes available.
“The Cobequid situation is a little different. There are other ways you can go to get through,” he said.
He added that drivers who want a faster route may choose to pay the toll, while others can avoid it by taking alternate highways.
