Maid of the Mist contract cancelled

(Updated video) The Maid of the Mist has lost the contract to operate the famous tour boats in Niagara Falls that have ferried tourists for more than a century.

The Niagara Parks Commission says it has awarded a 30-year land-lease agreement to Hornblower Canada. The new deal is expected to generate over $500 million in revenue for the parks commission over the life of the contract, an increase of more than $300 million from previous contracts.

Ontario’s Liberal cabinet ordered the NPC to open the tour boats to competitive bidding in 2009, after complaints Maid of the Mist had been given a 25-year un-tendered contract.

Video: Kate Carnegie reports: