Free Republic

Tent before terminal in Toronto By Rick Armon Staff writer (February 10, 2004) — A tent — and not a spiffy new ferry terminal as promised — will greet the first passengers on the Spirit of Ontario as they arrive in Toronto. The Toronto Port Authority says it won’t be able to build its new $8 million (Canadian) terminal in time for the ship’s inaugural voyage. “The terminal will not be done by May,” authority CEO Lisa Raitt told the Toronto Star newspaper on Monday. Visitors will clear customs under the tent, she said. Even without a terminal, the ferry...

Tourism officials seeking $1.5 million and ‘I Love New York' ads in Canada. By Rick Armon Staff writer (February 9, 2004) — Upstate tourism officials are banding together to pressure the state for help in making sure that Canadians are aware of the new ferry on Lake Ontario. The Spirit of Ontario — a ship capable of carrying about 750 passengers and 220 cars — is to start cruising between Rochester and Toronto at the end of April. With some critics questioning whether Canadians will hop on board, the tourism officials want the state’s I Love New York agency to...