A federal Secretary of State won’t say whether the Canada Strong pass offered to Canadians for free or discounted travel on Via Rail will be extended to the Marine Atlantic run.

The island portion of the province hasn’t had passenger rail service since the dissolution of the Newfoundland railway in the 1980s.

Despite election commitments to reduce Marine Atlantic rates, the ferry service is not part of the Canada Strong tourism initiative.

Secretary of State for Business and Tourism, Rechie Valdez, says she is aware that it is a concern for people and tourism operators in this province.

She says she’s spoken with provincial Tourism Minister Fred Hutton about the “regional realities that must be addressed in our tourism efforts” but she wouldn’t commit to extending the pass to Marine Atlantic.