BC Ferries needs political will to ensure sustainability
Sometimes it takes making headlines to get government’s attention. That seems to be the case for BC Ferries, which recently announced plans to procure four desperately needed new vessels.
The Chamber has spoken up for the Island’s vital link to the Mainland, pointing out that new vessels are required now. The announcement caused ripples across various levels of government as well as introspection about Canada’s current ship-building industry.
On Aug. 1, BC Ferries President and CEO Nicolas Jimenez appeared before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities.
Jimenez explained the essential service that BC Ferries provides. The fleet is running at full capacity and needs new investment in aging infrastructure.
“Last summer, our major route sailings ran at an average 92% capacity, and we left a quarter of a million people behind because we were full,” Jimenez said. “Only one of our 25 routes can cover its own costs without government subsidy. Travel demand is projected to rise by 15% – outpacing our capacity even with four new vessels.”
With mounting pressure on passenger fares, BC Ferries held an extensive procurement process in line with international best practices. With no Canadian bids, the result was a “choice between a foreign bid or no new ferries.”
The Chamber will continue to support BC Ferries’s efforts to keep their services sustainable. We call on the federal government to better support this vital transportation link — as they do ferry services in Atlantic provinces.
