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Bonded truck shipments to Campobello Island, which must travel through Maine, have resumed following an incident last week when one was turned back at the U.S. border under new tariff rules.
The change comes as the New Brunswick government announced an extension into November of the ferry to the island, which can only be reached by a bridge from Maine in the off-season when ferry service stops.
Last week, a bonded truck had been headed for Campobello when it crossed in the U.S. at the Calais, Maine, border crossing. But because it contained Canadian alcohol, which had been prohibited from import to the United States under a new proclamation by President Donald Trump, the truck was held up and sent back to Canada.
An email statement on Wednesday from U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Ryan Brissette said that merchandise covered under the proclamation is permitted to transit through the U.S. via approved in-bond methods, as long as it does not enter American commerce.
“No changes have been made to these established in-bond transit provisions,” Brissette wrote.
However, Wednesday’s statement appeared to contradict one sent last week, when Brisette wrote that because the truck’s cargo fell under the restrictions of the new proclamation prohibiting Canadian alcohol to transit through the U.S.
A request to explain what changed between last week and now was not answered on Thursday.
A spokesperson for N.B. Liquor said they were ready to look at alternatives for delivery to the island, but the corporation has “been made aware that the situation at the border has now been resolved and deliveries of beverage alcohol to Campobello Island via Calais, Maine have resumed.”
WATCH | MP supports call for year-round ferry service:
Province extends ferry service between Campobello Island, Deer Island until Nov. 1
The seasonal service was originally scheduled to end on Oct. 12.
New Brunswick Southwest MP John Williamson said since the truck was stopped last week, he’s been speaking with Global Affairs Canada and the U.S. Ambassador to Canada’s office about the situation.
“So I haven’t asked for details as to what exactly happened, but it has been resolved,” Williamson said in an interview on Thursday.
He said his constituents on the island are alarmed because the situation may change again.
“Donald Trump is more than just mercurial. He can be outright erratic,” Williamson said, but he noted that Campobello residents often take a more nuanced view of the ongoing trade war.
Residents have to cross the bridge over to Maine for gas or most groceries.
“So these are patriotic Canadians. They want what’s best for their island community, but they also understand that there has to be some discussion in relations back and forth,” Williamson said.
New Brunswick Southwest MP John Williamson said he reached out to Global Affairs Canada and the U.S. Ambassador to Canada following the incident when the truck was turned back. (Sam Farley/Zoom)
He said he has found that the U.S. Ambassador to Canada Pete Hoekstra is obviously going to speak up for his president and their priorities.
“But in this case, dealing with Campobello, they certainly worked with me. I’m sure they worked with the federal government and Global Affairs to resolve this issue, and I’m pleased that has happened,” Williamson said.
The initial end date for the ferry between Deer Island and Campobello, which is operated by East Coast Ferries Ltd., had been Thanksgiving. But the province announced Thursday that it would now run daily until Nov. 1, weather permitting.
Williamson said the extension to the ferry season is good news, and he continues to push for federal funding for a year-round ferry to the island.
CBC News asked for an interview with Transport Canada about ferry funding. A spokesperson instead sent an email statement that said the federal government is not responsible for ferry service operations.
“The Government of Canada encourages local organizations to continue working with the Government of New Brunswick to examine long-term solutions,” wrote Flavio Nienow.
The province announced Thursday that the seasonal ferry between Deer Island and Campobello would be extended to Nov. 1. (Kevin Bissett/Canadian Press)
Williamson pointed to agreements for federal funding on ferries in British Columbia and asked why the same can’t happen here in New Brunswick.
“They’re giving you the line from the federal government as it is today. But parliamentarians make these decisions,” Williamson said in response to the statement from Transport Canada.
Campobello Mayor Harvey Matthews said in an interview with CBC Radio’s Shift that he was happy to hear the ferry was extended and that the truck situation had been fixed.
“It’s just one of those things that you just never know from one day to the next, you know?” Matthews said.
“Somebody decides to tariff somebody else, and it seems like Campobello takes the brunt of it.”