The Nova Scotia government has announced it will give an additional $13 million Canadian - about $10.5 million U.S. - to the operator of a ferry that runs between Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, and Portland, Maine. That's less than half what it spent on the service last year.
The new money for Nova Star Cruises involves increased oversight, with the company required to publicly report its passenger numbers within 15 days of the end of each month.
The province's minister for economic and rural development and tourism, Michel Samson, says he also expects financial help from the state of Maine.
"Gov. LePage of Maine committed, before his election, that Maine would be a partner in this venture," Samson said. "He was elected on that promise, and is on record as saying that he will honor his commitment and bring $5 million to the table."
The ferry run was relaunched last year after a four-year hiatus. Samson says the upcoming season will be two weeks shorter, running from June 1 to Oct. 14.