Premier David Eby has spoken with BC Ferries senior management in the wake of a chaotic travel weekend which saw completely full boats and long delays for many passengers.
Speaking to media outside the B.C. legislature Friday (July 28) afternoon, Eby said he had two main messages for management during the call earlier in the day: They must do everything they can to ensure affordable and reliable access to ferries, and they have the government鈥檚 full support to make it happen.
鈥淲hat we are seeing currently is not acceptable, they understand that, and they will make the changes to address it,鈥� said Eby, while also acknowledging the Crown corporation is facing serious challenges such as skilled labour shortages and supply chain delays on essential spare parts.
鈥淭hey will have the government鈥檚 support to do that work, to be innovative to find ways to deliver.鈥�
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When faced with questions about whether there was a need for changes in senior management at BC Ferries, and at what point that decision should be made, Eby highlighted that current leadership is fairly new, but if it cannot rise to meet challenges 鈥渙bviously we will take the necessary steps,鈥� without providing a time frame.
鈥漈he metric for all British Columbians is pretty straightforward when it comes to ferries,鈥� Eby said. 鈥淲hen you are baking on the tarmac with your kids in the back seat and can鈥檛 get on the ferry, that is not an acceptable situation. When your goods can鈥檛 get to your store because there is no room on the ferry, that is not an acceptable situation. When you are not able to get the information you need from the online systems, that鈥檚 not an acceptable situation.鈥�
But despite his recognition of recent passenger complaints about the service, Eby also defended BC Ferries鈥� response to challenges, noting more money from the government won鈥檛 solve problems like a shortage of skilled mechanics, replacement parts which arrive defective from overseas, and the lead-time to procure brand new vessels.
He said there is a need to get through the remainder of the peak summer travel season and allow BC Ferries to 鈥渂uild capacity鈥� during the slower season, with government checking in regularly to monitor progress on that front. In the short term, his hope is the return of the Coastal Celebration to sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen Friday will help alleviate some of the congestion issues.
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