Federal funding is needed to keep the high-speed ferry between Yarmouth, N.S., and Maine running, Conservative MP Greg Kerr said Monday.

"I certainly will recommend that we play a role," he said. "What that is, I can't say. We haven't sat down with the various partners. I don't think long-term ferry service can survive without government support."

The West Nova MP said all three levels of government will have to chip in to keep the ferry running.

"I think there has to be some kind of federal involvement in the ferry system," Kerr said. "I don't think there's any question about that. But I think there also has to be provincial investment."

Last month, Bay Ferries Ltd. cancelled the high-speed ferry, known as the Cat, after the province said it would not continue subsidizing the service. The company wanted at least $6 million to continue the service between Yarmouth and the Maine communities of Bar Harbor and Portland in 2010.

Local officials said hundreds of jobs would disappear if there is no ferry service.

Kerr said he doesn't know how much money will be needed until he sees a study on transportation needs in southwest Nova Scotia. He expects to see a preliminary draft of the $250,000 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency study by the end of January.

"I think the federal participation is necessary," Kerr said. "How it is or what amount or how it's actually used, I think it's important we see what the study is going to suggest first and take it from there."

While Kerr said restoring the link is extremely important, he would not commit any federal dollars. In order to get federal funding, a ferry must carry commercial cargo, he said. The Cat ferry only carries cars and passengers.