FAC ~ BC Coastal Ferries Community Engagement

Click here to view the notification from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) regarding the next round of community consultation, which begins November 18th and runs through to December 20th.  Myself along with the other Ferry Advisory Committee chairs will be meeting with MoTI in Nanaimo on Tuesday November 19th.  We will be provided details on the PLANNED reductions prior to the meeting, once MoTI Minister Todd Stone has announced the process.

 

A couple of points to think about.  1) The reductions are planned and not proposed...so we may not have much of an opportunity to influence the outcome.  2) Some routes such as route 25; Alert Bay - Sointula, and the Southern Gulf Islands are not on the list of communities to be visited.  We have been given no explanation as to why this is so, and will not get any until after the Minister's announcement.  3) In their opening statement below it is obvious that MoTI did not hear the sentiments of the communities following last years consultation, where the majority of participants felt fares were too high and ferries needed to be adequately funded by the province.  The chronic lack of funding from government over the last 10 years has created this issue and can only be solved by government.

 

I will keep you informed as events unfold...

 

Respectfully 

Keith Rush