“Without a definitive date, I guess that’s the conclusion that can be drawn,” MacLellan told reporters following cabinet when asked whether the season could be in jeopardy.Two weeks ago, the ferry’s private operator, Bay Ferries, had said a season that was scheduled to begin at the end of June would commence “in the mid-summer” because of delays in satisfying security requirements in Bar Harbor.
“There is no set timeline as it is dependent on the ongoing approvals process,” the company said in an e-mail. “They have not established or indicated any set dates.” MacLellan said Wilkins is working with the U.S. senators from Maine, Angus King and Susan Collins, along with U.S. House Representative Jared Golden on the file.The minister said the Wilkins hiring was made by provincial Treasury Board following a call he received earlier this month from Paul LaFleche, the deputy minister of transportation. MacLellan said the call suggested there were issues with the potential start of the season because of the border services issue.