The province is seeking intervenor status at a hearing on the designation of Marine Atlantic as an essential service.

Unifor, which argues that the designation is out of date, has applied to the Canada Industrial Relations Board to determine what services, if any, should be maintained in the event of a strike.

Premier Tony Wakeham says the province respects the collective bargaining process but says Marine Atlantic is a vital link to the island and reducing service to three days a week would have a significant impact on residents.

“It’s not just a ferry service; it’s our Trans Canada Highway, and…if the rest of Canada were told that their Trans Canada Highway was going to be closed potentially for four days a week, and it would only be open three days a week, I’m sure that there’d be chaos throughout the entire country. That’s exactly what’s being proposed here.”