British Columbia’s Premier, David Eby, expressed strong criticism towards the federal government for what he perceives as unfair treatment of ferry passengers in the province. Eby also accused Alberta’s Premier, Danielle Smith, of jeopardizing other projects in British Columbia with her aggressive promotion of a pipeline plan.
Eby voiced his concerns in Ottawa following a dinner meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and several key cabinet ministers during his visit to the capital. He highlighted the discrepancy in treatment between ferry users in British Columbia and those in Eastern Canada, pointing out that while the federal government is funding new ferries for Atlantic Canada, it is only offering a low-interest loan to B.C.
“B.C. Ferries users receive an average of $1 in federal subsidy, whereas eastern ferry users receive $300 in federal subsidies,” Eby stated, emphasizing the need to address this disparity. The federal government financially supports ferry services in Eastern Canada through initiatives like Marine Atlantic, which operates ferries between Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, and the Ferry Services Contribution Program that aids ferries serving various routes.
Unlike East Coast operations, where the federal government owns and maintains ferries and terminals, in B.C., ferry services are a provincial responsibility connecting points within the province. Notably, B.C. Ferries, a publicly owned independent company, recently received a $1 billion loan from the federal government to acquire new vessels, sparking debates due to the involvement of a Chinese state-owned shipyard in the construction process.
Eby defended the decision, stating that the new ferries were essential and underwent a rigorous procurement process. He also raised concerns about Premier Smith’s pipeline project, cautioning that the lack of private proponents, funding, and support from First Nations communities could jeopardize significant projects in British Columbia. Eby characterized Smith’s pipeline push as existing only in political discussions, emphasizing the need for realistic assessments and stakeholder consultations in major infrastructure initiatives.